Second Grade had the opportunity to watch a video about how the Brooklyn Bridge was build and who it was built by. They were fascinated by the story. 

The Brooklyn Bridge was designed by John Robeling, a famous engineer. Unfortunately, John Roebling did not live long enough to actually build the bridge. Early into construction, a collapse on the site crushed his toes, leading to a deadly tetanus infection. His son, Washington Roebling, was assigned to finish the job.

 

However, Washington Roebling ran into some bad luck, as well. He got a bad case of cassion disease while surveying the underwater cassions, and was bedridden for the remainder of the bridge's construction. His wife, Emily Warren Roebling, had to help him. She had studied engineering and higher math. She spoke to the workers on her husband's behalf, and passed messages between them.

Construction of the Brooklyn Bridge began in January of 1870 and the bridge opened on May 24, 1883.

We walked across this amazing bridge and talked about the different sights we saw a long the way. 

Morah Gaby