Remember When: Celebrating the 141st Birthday of the Brooklyn Bridge
This week marks the 141st anniversary of one of the most iconic engineering marvels and architectural achievements in American history - the opening of the Brooklyn Bridge on May 24, 1883. Spanning the East River between Manhattan and Brooklyn, this suspension bridge was dubbed the "Eighth Wonder of the World" upon its completion and is a marvel of 19th-century engineering.
The Brooklyn Bridge's construction was an immense undertaking that took 14 years and overcame tremendous obstacles and tragedy. The project was originally conceived in the 1860s by John Roebling, a brilliant German immigrant engineer. Roebling had previously designed other suspension bridges, but the Brooklyn Bridge's unprecedented 1,595 foot length posed new challenges.Tragically, just a few weeks after construction began in 1869, a freak accident crushed Roebling's foot which later had to be amputated. He developed tetanus from the injury and passed away in 1869. His 32-year-old son Washington Roebling took over as chief engineer, but he too suffered a crippling injury from decompression sickness caused by working in the underwater caissons.For the next 11 years, Washington's wife Emily Roebling played an essential role - she learned engineering and took over supervising the project, serving as the link between her bedridden husband and the construction crews. Emily's dedication and the Roebling family's perseverance were instrumental in finally completing the iconic bridge.
When the Brooklyn Bridge finally opened on May 24, 1883, it was a truly grand event befitting the grandeur of the bridge itself. The opening ceremony was led by President Chester A. Arthur and New York Governor Grover Cleveland. An estimated 150,000 people attended, with as many as 1,800 vehicles and 15,000 pedestrians crossing the bridge within the first few hours.The Brooklyn Bridge's two granite neo-Gothic towers anchored by steel cables made it not just an engineering marvel, but an architectural landmark as well. At 85 feet wide and towering 276 feet above the East River, it was a true colossus. The bridge's pedestrian walkway was a promenade allowing crowds to admire the stunning views.
In the 141 years since, the Brooklyn Bridge has become one of the most famous river crossings in the world. It has been a star in movies, novels, poems, and paintings. Over 100,000 vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists cross this iconic span every day. While no longer the longest suspension bridge, it remains a beloved symbol of New York City's grandeur and a monument to the perseverance of its builders who overcame so much to make their dream a reality. So take a moment this week to appreciate this quintessential New York landmark and "Eighth Wonder of the World." The Brooklyn Bridge continues to inspire all who cross its span or admire its stately towers and cables seemingly defying gravity. It's an enduring reminder of the courage and innovation of human endeavor.