This Day in History: , The Brooklyn
Bridge Opens.
May 24, 1883.
Presided over by President Chester Arthur,
the dedication of the world's first steel
suspension bridge was attended by thousands.
Designed by engineer John Roebling,
the construction of the bridge took 14 years.
The marvel of engineering and
construction connected Manhattan
and Brooklyn for the first time.
More than two dozen people,
including Roebling himself,
died while planning and
constructing the bridge.
Roebling's son, Washington,
took over as chief engineer.
He suffered an injury from which
he remained partially paralyzed.
Within 24 hours of the opening,
more than 250,000 people would
walk across the promenade of the Brooklyn Bridge