NEW 7 Wonders of the World...

My students and I read an article today that you may or may not have heard about, but I wanted to share and get your thoughts. In 2001, an organization started a voting process for the NEW seven wonders of the world and on July 7,2007 (07/07/07), the voting will end and they will be announced. If you want to see the 21 final places that are up or you want to vote, here is the website:

http://www.new7wonders.com

My thoughts are mixed on this idea. It lead to great discussions about various places in the world that my students may never get to see, but it also lead to some concerns. One student asked me, What happens to the OLD 7 wonders? Why aren't they so great anymore? Hmmmm...thought provoking. What made these people think they could change or update something that is HISTORY for the world? Anyways, not the biggest issue, but I know some of you will have thoughts or opinions. The ONLY United States place that made the final 21 was the Statue of Liberty. Boy, did they miss some great places. So, share with me...all opinions welcome as I would love to take more insight back to the kids. They really got into this discussion...that is something in itself...

Comments: 9

Deb J. May 8, 2007, 9:50pm EDT

One of the seven wonders to kids would probably be Disneyland or maybe even the double arches (McDonalds)! :o) lol

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Karen M. May 8, 2007, 9:59pm EDT

Cute Deb...LOL

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Jennifer S. May 8, 2007, 10:04pm EDT

I too have mixed feelings about the new 7 wonders. I checked out the website and had trouble choosing seen that I felt were true wonders. No matter which 7 are chosen, I'll always consider the 7 ancient wonders to be the TRUE wonders of the world!

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Angie O. May 8, 2007, 10:19pm EDT

Wow some great ones here Karen but I can't pick 6. Be wonderful though if Statue of Liberty won for USA though.

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Sandra ~ D. May 9, 2007, 12:36am EDT

This happens every so often. There were the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, some of which no longer exist. Then the Seven Wonders of the Modern World below. I think the new list will be the Seven Wonders of the 20th or 21st Century - not sure exactly.

The Seven Wonders of the Modern World:
Channel Tunnel (England & France)
CN Tower (Toronto)
Empire State Building (New York)
Golden Gate Bridge (San Francisco)
Itaipu Dam (Brazil/Paraguay)
Netherlands North Sea Protection Works (Netherlands)
Panama Canal (Panama)

The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World:
The Pyramids of Egypt
Hanging Gardens of Babylon
Statue of Zeus at Olympia
Colossus of Rhodes
Temple of Artemis at Ephesus
Mausoleum of Helicarnassus
Pharos (Lighthouse) of Alexandria

So they're not replacing anything; just acknowledging new(er) feats of engineering excellence. You'll notice none of the Wonders are natural. They are all manmade.

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Austin Cushing May 9, 2007, 2:56am EDT

::nods:: Someday, we'll have the Space Elevator, and that'll be a Wonder of the World of Tomorrow.

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Jennine D. May 9, 2007, 3:27am EDT

I don't think any of the above to me would be wonders of the world. I would think something like the Grand Canyon would be more of a wonder and other natural wonders around the world. Who cares about man made wonders big deal.

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Sandra ~ D. May 9, 2007, 8:10am EDT

Austin, yes, the Space Elevator will undoubtedly be a Wonder.

Jennine, I kind of agree but the Wonders were never intended to be natural Wonders. The whole thing was commissioned by a group of Civil Engineers. And, let's face it, these structures are magnificient, both in function and engineering imagination and construction.

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Jen (I'm back for more!) G. May 9, 2007, 10:20am EDT

I was going to go all into Librarian-mode, but Sandra already listed the 7 Wonders of the Ancient and Modern World. I still need to look at the link you provided (thanks!). This is a popular school assignment, but one children often have trouble relating to (what do mean these things don't exist anymore?)

There is the 7 wonders of the Natural World, too.
1. Mount Everest (Nepal)
2. Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe)
3. Grand Canyon (Arizona, U.S.)
4. The Great Barrier Reef (Australia)
5. Northern Lights
6.Paricutin Volcano (Mexico)
7. Harbor of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)

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NEW 7 Wonders of the World...

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