April 15, 1912: The Titanic Sinks On this day in 1912, the RMS Titanic sank into the Atlantic Ocean after hitting an an iceberg off the coast of Newfoundland.  Around 11:40 p.m. on April 14, the ship hit an iceberg, but didn’t fully sink until 2:20 a.m. on April 15. This catastrophic event led to the death of more than 1,500 passengers.  The Titanic had departed from Southampton, England five days prior and was on her way to New York City. Learn more about the Titanic with PBS’ Titanic collection.  Photos (top to bottom): The Titanic, view from the S.S. Carpathia of the iceberg that sank the Titanic (Library of Congress).
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 April 15, 1912: The Titanic Sinks On this day in 1912, the RMS Titanic sank into the Atlantic Ocean after hitting an an iceberg off the coast of Newfoundland.  Around 11:40 p.m. on April 14, the ship hit an iceberg, but didn’t fully sink until 2:20 a.m. on April 15. This catastrophic event led to the death of more than 1,500 passengers.  The Titanic had departed from Southampton, England five days prior and was on her way to New York City. Learn more about the Titanic with PBS’ Titanic collection.  Photos (top to bottom): The Titanic, view from the S.S. Carpathia of the iceberg that sank the Titanic (Library of Congress).
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 April 15, 1912: The Titanic Sinks

On this day in 1912, the RMS Titanic sank into the Atlantic Ocean after hitting an an iceberg off the coast of Newfoundland. 

Around 11:40 p.m. on April 14, the ship hit an iceberg, but didn’t fully sink until 2:20 a.m. on April 15. This catastrophic event led to the death of more than 1,500 passengers. 

The Titanic had departed from Southampton, England five days prior and was on her way to New York City.

Learn more about the Titanic with PBS’ Titanic collection. 

Photos (top to bottom): The Titanic, view from the S.S. Carpathia of the iceberg that sank the Titanic (Library of Congress).

Feb. 21, 1885: The Dedication of the Washington Monument On this day in 1885, the Washington Monument was officially dedicated. Three years later, it was opened to the general public. The Washington Monument lies in the center of Washington, D.C. and it commemorates the first president of the United States, George Washington. The monument was designed by Robert Mills and it was completed by Thomas Casey. Once construction was done, the Washington Monument was the world’s tallest building, measuring 555 feet.  See how the Washington Monument and other iconic locations in Washington, D.C. have changed throughout the past 100 years. Top Photo: Washington Monument in 1860; Bottom Photo: Washington Monument in 1902 (Library of Congress).
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Feb. 21, 1885: The Dedication of the Washington Monument On this day in 1885, the Washington Monument was officially dedicated. Three years later, it was opened to the general public. The Washington Monument lies in the center of Washington, D.C. and it commemorates the first president of the United States, George Washington. The monument was designed by Robert Mills and it was completed by Thomas Casey. Once construction was done, the Washington Monument was the world’s tallest building, measuring 555 feet.  See how the Washington Monument and other iconic locations in Washington, D.C. have changed throughout the past 100 years. Top Photo: Washington Monument in 1860; Bottom Photo: Washington Monument in 1902 (Library of Congress).
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Feb. 21, 1885: The Dedication of the Washington Monument

On this day in 1885, the Washington Monument was officially dedicated. Three years later, it was opened to the general public.

The Washington Monument lies in the center of Washington, D.C. and it commemorates the first president of the United States, George Washington. The monument was designed by Robert Mills and it was completed by Thomas Casey. Once construction was done, the Washington Monument was the world’s tallest building, measuring 555 feet. 

See how the Washington Monument and other iconic locations in Washington, D.C. have changed throughout the past 100 years.

Top Photo: Washington Monument in 1860; Bottom Photo: Washington Monument in 1902 (Library of Congress).

Engineering Ground Zero Last year, to commemorate the 10th anniversary of 9/11, NOVA presented an epic story of engineering, innovation, and the perseverance of the human spirit. With extraordinary access granted by The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, “Engineering Ground Zero” followed the five-year construction of One World Trade Center and the National September 11 Memorial and Museum. Watch the full episode and learn more about the program.
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Engineering Ground Zero

Last year, to commemorate the 10th anniversary of 9/11, NOVA presented an epic story of engineering, innovation, and the perseverance of the human spirit.

With extraordinary access granted by The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, “Engineering Ground Zero” followed the five-year construction of One World Trade Center and the National September 11 Memorial and Museum.

Watch the full episode and learn more about the program.

Source: to.pbs.org

August 15, 1914: Panama Canal Opens On this day in 1914, an American-built waterway across the Isthmus of Panama, called the Panama Canal, opened. The canal connected the world’s two largest oceans (the Atlantic and the Pacific) and signaled America’s emergence as a global superpower. Watch the American Experience documentary on the turmoil surrounding the building of the Panama Canal.
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August 15, 1914: Panama Canal Opens

On this day in 1914, an American-built waterway across the Isthmus of Panama, called the Panama Canal, opened. The canal connected the world’s two largest oceans (the Atlantic and the Pacific) and signaled America’s emergence as a global superpower.

Watch the American Experience documentary on the turmoil surrounding the building of the Panama Canal.

Source: to.pbs.org

August 10, 1874:  Herbert Hoover Born On this day in 1874, 31st President of the United States Herbert Hoover, nicknamed “The Great Engineer,” was born in West Branch, Iowa.  One of Hoover’s most remembered accomplishments as president is the successful negotiation of the Boulder Canyon Project Act, which eventually led to the construction of the Hoover Dam and Power Plant. Check out this American Experience timeline outlining the major cornerstones and key players involved in building the Hoover Dam.
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August 10, 1874:  Herbert Hoover Born

On this day in 1874, 31st President of the United States Herbert Hoover, nicknamed “The Great Engineer,” was born in West Branch, Iowa.  One of Hoover’s most remembered accomplishments as president is the successful negotiation of the Boulder Canyon Project Act, which eventually led to the construction of the Hoover Dam and Power Plant.

Check out this American Experience timeline outlining the major cornerstones and key players involved in building the Hoover Dam.

Source: to.pbs.org

May 24, 1883: Brooklyn Bridge Opens to Traffic On this day in 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge opened to traffic. The first person to cross the bridge was Emily Roebling, wife of project engineer Washington Roebling. Washington Roebling had become sick after taking over for his father, John Roebling, who had died as a result of a freak accident at the construction site. Having studied mathematics and the concepts of bridge building, Emily assisted her husband throughout the entire construction of the Brooklyn Bridge. The period after the Civil War was a time of great transition – and innovation – in the United States. From the Ken Burns’s Brooklyn Bridge site, this timeline shows the progression of the New York-Brooklyn Bridge, which was the premier engineering feat of its time, and puts its construction in greater historical context.
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May 24, 1883: Brooklyn Bridge Opens to Traffic

On this day in 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge opened to traffic. The first person to cross the bridge was Emily Roebling, wife of project engineer Washington Roebling. Washington Roebling had become sick after taking over for his father, John Roebling, who had died as a result of a freak accident at the construction site.

Having studied mathematics and the concepts of bridge building, Emily assisted her husband throughout the entire construction of the Brooklyn Bridge.

The period after the Civil War was a time of great transition – and innovation – in the United States. From the Ken Burns’s Brooklyn Bridge site, this timeline shows the progression of the New York-Brooklyn Bridge, which was the premier engineering feat of its time, and puts its construction in greater historical context.

Source: to.pbs.org

April 27, 2006: Construction Begins at One World Trade Center

Six years ago today, construction began on the 1,776-foot building formerly known as the Freedom Tower.

Last year, on the 10th anniversary of 9/11, NOVA presented “Engineering Ground Zero,”  which follows the construction of One World Trade Center (1 WTC) and the National September 11 Memorial and Museum. Watch the full episode.

Source: to.pbs.org

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