Shipwrecks and maritime disasters have always captivated the public imagination and none more so than the luxury liner RMS Titanic, which sank on her maiden voyage one hundred years ago this year.

With the loss of 1,517 lives on April 15, 1912, three hours after the ship struck an ice berg, the real life tales of love and heroism spawned a legend and fascination which shows no sign of abating.

The obsession with Titanic continues to grow and as we approach the 100th-year anniversary, take a look at what is happening around the world to commemorate this day.

Click on thumbnail to view (Photos: AFP, National Geographic Channel, Photo Researchers RM, Premier Exhibitions, Reuters)