June 28, 1921

On this day in history, bridge builder Joseph Strauss submits his finished plans for the Golden Gate Bridge to city officials in San Francisco.  Some people worry that the bridge will spoil the natural beauty of the landscape.  After spending a dozen years convincing people that the bridge should be built, Strauss noted, “The value of an idea depends not only on the sweat you put into thinking it up, but also on the sweat you put into getting people to accept it.”  The Golden Gate Bridge is famous not only for its beauty but also for its span of 4,200 feet.

Challenge:  With your teacher’s permission, measure the longest hallway in your school and figure out how many times the hallway could be laid end to end on the span of the Golden Gate Bridge.  You could also do this with a hallway at home and compare.  Email Ms. Skaggs with your findings!

Day-By-Day Math  Susan Ohanian  Math Solutions Publications  2000