Mayor Alioto's Earthquake Party
April 18, 1969
1. Mayor Joseph L. Alioto at Earthquake Display
We had
a display of 1906 Earthquake photos in the Rotunda of City Hall and Mayor Alioto
decided to have a rally commemorating San Francisco's most famous event and to
assuage fears of earthquakes in the city. At a staff meeting someone suggested
Union Square at noon. (That's where rallies were always held.)
Without really thinking it through, I suggested the rally be held in front of City Hall on April 18,
at 5:00 a.m., the anniversary of the 1906 earthquake and fire.
The rest of the staff laughed... "Who's going to come out at five in the
morning."
But the Mayor said, "Let's do it, Bill."
Bill Roddy, Director of Public Service
Office of the Mayor, 1965-1976