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Work on the wall started in 500 BC during the rule of the first Chinese emperor, [[Qin Shi Huang]] and continued for 2,000 years. Most of the work was done during the [[Ming Dynasty]]. At regular intervals towers were built, at first they functioned purely as watchtowers but later on they were modified to include [[cannon]]s and defenses against aerial attacks.

Work on the wall started in 500 BC during the rule of the first Chinese emperor, [[Qin Shi Huang]] and continued for 2,000 years. Most of the work was done during the [[Ming Dynasty]]. At regular intervals towers were built, at first they functioned purely as watchtowers but later on they were modified to include [[cannon]]s and defenses against aerial attacks.

A long-standing legend holds that the Great Wall of China is the only [[human]] structure visible from space, or even that it is visible from the [[Moon]], this legend probably originated with [[Richard Halliburton]]'s 1938 "Second Book of Marvels," which made this claim. In fact it has been disputed as to whether it is even visible to the naked eye, from low earth orbit. Some [[astronaut]]s have looked for it and have been able to see it, some have not. In 2005 an [[American]] astronaut (of [[Chinese]] descent) did succeed [[photograph]]ing it. <ref> [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/4459311.stm | BBC News report of "China Daily" article 4/19/2005]</ref> There is no truth to the notion that there are ''few'' visible human structures; Cecil Adams comments:

A long-standing legend holds that the Great Wall of China is the only [[human]] structure visible from space, or even that it is visible from the [[Moon]].  This legend probably originated with [[Richard Halliburton]]'s 1938 "Second Book of Marvels," which made this claim. In fact it has been disputed as to whether it is even visible to the naked eye, from low earth orbit. Some [[astronaut]]s have looked for it and have been able to see it, some have not. In 2005 an [[American]] astronaut (of [[Chinese]] descent) did succeed [[photograph]]ing it. <ref> [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/4459311.stm BBC News report of "China Daily" article 4/19/2005]</ref> There is no truth to the notion that there are ''few'' visible human structures; Cecil Adams comments:

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