It was 1952. Three-time Olympic Gold Medalist Sonja Henie was set to perform figure skating in Baltimore, MD with her ice revue which included 125 performers. The sold out show was set to begin at 8:30pm when suddenly the bleachers collapsed at 8:25 when witnesses described a cracking sound "like a freight train."
1952 bleacher collapse
No one was killed, but 300 people were injured–30 of which were serious.
Aftermath
Yes, today's bleachers are more solid and built tougher than the temporary one on that evening in 1952, but if you are thinking about purchasing bleachers for your school or facility, here are some things you need to know…
First off, know that just because you 'can' build them, you shouldn't. Crystal Lake South High School in McHenry County decided to build 51-foot-tall bleachers on the football field last fall without going through the city's zoning process. Well this eventually went to court.
Make sure you check your city's ordinances and zoning laws before installation. Safety codes and regulations exist for a reason, and proper planning will save you headaches down the road.