BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 X-WR-CALNAME:www.indybay.org PRODID:-//indybay/ical// v1.0//EN BEGIN:VEVENT UID:Indybay-18885102 SEQUENCE:19062272 CREATED:20260322T000100Z DESCRIPTION:The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel, a San Francisco landmark since 1915, continues its new monthly speaker series, “Making History Fun Again,” designed to honor the city’s legendary past through lively storytelling and unforgettable personalities.\n\nOn Thursday, April 16, 2026, The Clift welcomes historian John Martini, who will present a fascinating look at one of the most defining events in San Francisco history: the 1906 earthquake and fire.\n\nAt 5:12 a.m. on April 18, 1906, a massive earthquake estimated at magnitude 7.9 struck along the San Andreas Fault, violently shaking San Francisco and the surrounding region. Buildings collapsed, streets split open, and gas lines ruptured. In the hours that followed, fires ignited across the city and burned for three days, destroying more than 28,000 buildings and leaving roughly 250,000 residents homeless. Despite the devastation, the disaster also sparked one of the most remarkable rebuilding efforts in American urban history, reshaping San Francisco’s architecture, infrastructure, and civic identity.\n\nThrough photographs, stories, and historical insights, Martini will explore how the earthquake and fires unfolded, how residents responded in the chaotic days afterward, and how the city ultimately rebuilt itself from the ashes.\n\nAbout the Speaker\n\nJohn Martini is a historian, author, and retired National Park Service ranger known for his engaging presentations on San Francisco history and military history in the Bay Area. During his decades with the National Park Service, Martini worked at sites including Alcatraz Island and the Presidio, where he helped interpret the region’s complex historical landscape.\n\nA widely respected authority on the 1906 disaster, Martini has researched the earthquake and fires extensively and frequently lectures on how the event transformed San Francisco. His storytelling combines rigorous historical research with vivid personal accounts from survivors, bringing one of the city’s most dramatic chapters to life.\n\nAbout the Series\n\nThe Making History Fun Again series:\nCelebrates San Francisco’s diverse and vibrant history\nConnects generations through lively, accessible storytelling\nShowcases authors, historians, performers, and cultural icons\nInvites the public into the Redwood Room for conversations that spark curiosity and imagination\n\nSignature Speaker Series Cocktails\n\nGuests attending the January 15 event may enjoy themed cocktails honoring San Francisco’s storied past, including:\nPisco Punch — A Gold Rush original from 1853\nMartini — Born along the trail between San Francisco and Martinez\nNight Moves (Buena Vista Tribute Espresso Martini) — A wink to the city’s famed Irish Coffee\nMaiden Lane — A nod to one of San Francisco’s most notorious streets\n\nEvent Details\n\nWhat: Making History Fun Again — Speaker Series
Featured Speaker: John Martini
When: Thursday, April 16, 2026 | 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Where: The Redwood Room, The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel
Admission: Complimentary with RSVP\nRSVP: "Making History Fun Again" Speaker Series at The Clift Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite\n\nUpcoming Speaker Series Lineup\n\nThursday, May 21 - SFHS - History of SF’s Legendary Hotels\nThursday, June 18 - Shawn Sprockett - Unthinkable Vice\nThursday, July - 16 - Ben Fong-Torres - History of Rock & Roll\n\nAbout The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel\n\nLocated at 495 Geary Street, The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel blends contemporary design with timeless character. Home to the legendary Redwood Room, the hotel has been a cultural fixture of San Francisco since 1915. Following a multimillion-dollar renovation, The Clift offers 372 stylish guest rooms and suites, a state-of-the-art event space, and an enduring commitment to hospitality that is — and always has been — legendary. Learn more at Sonesta Press Room / The Clift.\n https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2026/03/21/18885102.php SUMMARY:The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel Continues Its New Speaker Series: Making History Fun Again LOCATION:The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel - 495 Geary St, San Francisco, CA 94102 URL:https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2026/03/21/18885102.php DTSTART:20260417T010000Z DTEND:20260417T020000Z END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR