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SMJ // Article

Perspectives

The 1918–1919 Influenza Pandemic and National Amnesia

Authors: Addeane S. Caelleigh

Abstract

Suppose that this year a dangerous, highly contagious disease sweeps across the world. One-fourth of the population catches it, and at least 200 million die in only a few months. In the United States alone, 80 million people become sick and 1.25 million die.1–3 Could it be possible that within a couple of years the crisis would fade from the public’s collective memory?

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