Crowds of people gasped. Flames rose from the roof of the historic Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. Firefighters worked to stop the fire. By late evening, they contained the fire. However, the fire badly damaged the building.
Notre-Dame is one of the most well-known structures built during the Middle Ages [the historical period in Europe lasting from about the 5th century until the 15th century]. It is an important cultural and historical site. Last year, a fire at the Brazil’s National Museum destroyed many precious artifacts. Many feared the same fate for Notre-Dame’s many priceless works of art.
People organized quickly to rescue many important items from the blaze. Notre-Dame’s famous stained-glass rose windows survived. However, the conditions of many other pieces of art are not yet known.
People all over the world have donated money to rebuild the cathedral. This fundraising effort has inspired people to think about buildings in the United States. Earlier this year, three historic African American churches in Louisiana burned. The day after the fire at Notre-Dame, campaigns to rebuild these Louisiana churches received many donations.
What Do You Think? Why do you think buildings such as Notre-Dame are important to people?
Photo Credit: FABIEN BARRAU/AFP/Getty Images
