♪ When it comes to South Carolina history, there are few places that are as significant as Charleston Harbor.

Through the centuries, the harbor has had a wave of transformation, leaving bits of history in its wake.

Its remnants, as well as its additions, are quite the spectacle when seen... From the Sky!

♪ Forming at the convergence of two tidal rivers.

This inlet was the epicenter for trade during the 18th and 19th centuries.

To this day, it still serves as a major port in the United States seeing nearly 20 million tons of trade through these coastal waters every year.

The most noticeable part of the harbor is what's connecting Mount Pleasant and Charleston, the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge.

Completed in 2005, the Ravenel Bridge is the longest cable-stayed bridge in the United States.

Its diamond towers reach up 575 feet connecting 128 individual steel cables.

The 2.5 mile long, eight-lane bridge is crossed nearly 97,000 times a day.

Annually, the bridge hosts the third largest 10K Marathon in the United States.

As we travel south, we reach downtown Charleston.

Founded in 1670 as "“Charles Town"” in honor of King Charles II, the city was a hub for colonists in the New World.

Shortly after the American Revolution, the town was given its present name of "“Charleston"” and remained at the center of South Carolina politics and society.

Along the southern shores of the peninsula, the seawall and promenade known as "“The Battery"” served as a defensive artillery point during the American Civil War.

It was formally known as "“Oyster Point"” because piles of bleached oyster shells that gathered at the tip of the peninsula.

The battery was strategically made to help guard the port of Charleston during blockades and attacks.

Today, the battery is decorated with cannons and other military memorials.

Following the Civil War, the battery devolved into near slum conditions until the early 20th century.

That is until Dorothy Legge decided to renovate some of the Gregorian-style houses that remained.

She painted these houses based on a colonial Caribbean color scheme.

Future owners would carry on this tradition by creating an array of pastel houses known today as "“Rainbow Row"”.

A common myth is that these houses were painted different colors so that sailors could easily recognize them, and they wouldn't stumble into the wrong home when coming from the port.

Whether that's true or not, it remains an amazing backdrop for such a historical town.

♪ Back across the harbor you may spot something that looks like a military base but is actually a floating museum.

Decommissioned in 1970, the USS Yorktown remains permanently docked at Patriot's Point where nearly 300,000 visitors board the essex-class aircraft carrier each year.

Its during its maritime battles in World War II the ship received its nickname, The Fighting Lady, because it would always take the lead.

Weighing over 30,000 tons and having a top speed of 30 knots, the Yorktown played a significant role in the Pacific offensive against Japan.

One of its last missions was recovering the Apollo 8 spacecraft in 1968.

Lasting 6 days, this was the first manned mission to leave earth's orbit, reach the moon and return.

Today, a replica capsule stays aboard the ship to forever commemorate this momentous achievement.

It's places like this that make Charleston Harbor such an essential part of South Carolina and American history.

It's something to truly appreciate when you get to take a look... From the Sky!

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