Building the Suez Canal was easy—it was flat and built on sand. Not so with the Panama Canal. Designated one of the “Seven Wonders of the Modern World” by the American Society of Civil Engineers, the Panama Canal is, in fact, an engineering miracle.
Senior Academy is delighted to bring this achievement to life in a presentation on Monday, May 5 at 2 p.m. in Foothill. Since Balboa discovered the Pacific Ocean, countries had been seeking a way to sail the 50 miles from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific. The French tried it in 1882– but failed. In that effort, 22,000 men died from mosquitoes and yellow fever caused by mosquitoes. It was abandoned after 11 miles had been dug.
When Teddy Roosevelt became President, he made it clear that he believed that international peace, prosperity and the nation’s power of the country hinged on the United States building and operating a canal in the isthmus of Panama.
Thus, in 1904, the canal effort was launched and opened 10 years later. Still, today, this marvel is successfully moving ships, 24/7.
Our presenter will be Ricky Deutsch, an author and “histophile,” who has been entertaining and informing audiences as a cruise-trip speaker for 12 years.
To see how men can move mountains, please register at senioracademy.vgcc.club or by contacting Lucy Pousho at 510-406-1582.
