2The New York and Brooklyn Bridge
Manhattan Approach
May 31, 1883
Young Lev could not wait for the opening of the new bridge. The Eighth Wonder of the World, the newspapers called it. Imagine, a bridge that connected the cities of Brooklyn and Manhattan! For the past two years, ever since his family had arrived in the United States, Lev often had gone to the waterfront in Manhattan and watched the construction. As ships sailed up the East River, Lev dreamed that one day he would travel the world aboard various ships. He felt a sense of tranquility as he watched the ships, and watching the bridge construction fascinated him. Now, finally, the bridge was complete. He heard that on the night of the official dedication, even the president of the United States had attended. From the steps of
