A herd of elephants saved the Brooklyn Bridge

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My husband was watching the History Channel and I sat down with him waiting for the oven to heat up. I got engrossed in the show and actually learned something about the Brooklyn Bridge.... The Brooklyn Bridge is often the subject of the phrase, "If you believe XYZ, then I have a bridge for sale." Now let me give you a little history of that bridge and how elephants came to the rescue. It was the first cable-suspension bridge, the longest bridge in the US at the time it was built. It was built in 1883 and still carries over 150,000 vehicles and pedestrians daily. However, as the bridge was about to be opened to the public the rumors flew that the bridge was not safe. On opening day thousands showed up to walk from Brooklyn to Manhattan. All was well until a woman tripped which set off rumors that the bridge was falling apart. The next day no one wanted to use the bridge. That was bad since it was the NY Major at the time was under the gun so to speak and he needed the bride to be successful. P.T. Barnum decided he could prove the Brooklyn Bridge was safe as he paraded 21 magnificent elephants across the bridge. It worked, the bridge was deemed safe and it still stands tall and long today! You can read more about the history of the bridge here: Photo: pixabay.com/en/elephant-herd-of-elephants-africa-1170111/