Ep 1. Brooklyn Bridge

At the turn of the 20th century, the Brooklyn Bridge stood as a symbol of American ingenuity, and in "Brooklyn Bridge," the first episode of Ken Burns' 1997 documentary series, "Ken Burns: America," the bridge takes center stage. This episode explores the decades-long process of the bridge's construction, from its inception to its completion, and the people whose lives were impacted by its creation.

Through archival photographs and interviews with historians and experts, Burns paints a vivid picture of the bridge's construction and its significance to the people of New York City. The episode delves into the engineering challenges faced by the bridge's builders, including John A. Roebling, who initially designed the bridge, and his son Washington Roebling, who oversaw its construction after his father's death.

The episode also explores the toll the bridge's construction took on the workers who built it, many of whom were immigrants living in poverty. As Burns notes in the episode, the bridge "was built on the backs of the working people of New York."

Through interviews with people who remember the bridge's construction and early years, "Brooklyn Bridge" provides a glimpse into the impact the bridge had on the people of New York City. One woman who lived near the bridge during its construction recalls the noise and dust from the construction, while another man describes the sense of connection the bridge brought to the city's divided boroughs.

Overall, "Brooklyn Bridge" provides a fascinating look at one of America's most iconic structures and the people who built it. Through the expert storytelling of Ken Burns, viewers gain a deeper appreciation for the engineering feat that was the Brooklyn Bridge and the impact it had on the people of New York City.