World's 'Most Photographed Bridge' Turns 75!
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On Monday, January 5th, the city of San Francisco kick-started a yearlong celebration to mark the 75th anniversary of one its most famous landmarks - The Golden Gate Bridge. Besides being beautiful, the 1.7 mile long bridge was for many years also, the world's longest suspension bridge.
To celebrate the occasion, officials are planning many fun activities. However, the one thing they will not do, is reenact 'Pedestrian Day 37' - The 1937 opening day festivities, when the bridge was open to just pedestrians. That's because when they attempted that in 1987, to mark the bridge's Golden Jubilee, things went a little haywire.
Not only did 300,000 people or twice the number than anticipated show up, but they also, got nervous when they reached the center and felt the suspension arch flatten (like it was designed to). The panic that ensued resulted in a lot of chaos and even, some injuries!
So this time around, the planning officials have decided to stick to safer celebrations like firework displays, a boating parade, music and dance performances, as well as, guided night tours.
Building the bridge was first proposed in 1922, by an engineer named Joseph B. Strauss. However, the country was in the midst of a depression and people were concerned about the costs, which some estimated would exceed $100 million USD. Also, there was some skepticism about whether it was even possible to build a bridge given the high winds, strong water currents, not to mention, the 500ft. depth in the middle part of the bay.
However, he persevered and construction finally began in 1932. It took a complete redesign, five years and $35 million USD before the first pedestrians were able to walk across, on May 27th, 1937. Surprisingly though, most did not really like the way it looked, with a local leading newspaper going as far as calling it a '$35 million steel harp'.
Thankfully over the years, that sentiment has changed drastically. Today, over nine million tourists traverse the bridge annually and it is, the pride and joy of all Bay Area residents. To check out the full celebration schedule go to http://goldengatebridge75.org.
sources: wikipedia.org,sfgate.com.
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193 Comments
jackthefamousover 13 yearsWOW! I've never been on the bridge and it gets old on me! So unfair. I wish i was there. It looks like it was A LOT of money to build that thing. The video was pretty boring though i like sound to my videos! If i was one of the first to cross ( witch i would not be) i would be really scared that the bridge might fall down while i'm on it, no one wants that to happen to them. I really really want to go to San Francisco my aunt lives there and there are trolleys! Trolley's are really fun to ride you go pretty fast When i was little i went on a trolley i think it was at Disney land or somewhere like that. It was fast for a trolley car!- Mayaover 13 yearsOH I almost forgot there was a decimal when they said the bridge was 1.7 miles long.
- Mayaover 13 yearsI've been on that bridge.It is a really crowded but nice bridge. It is really pretty if you look at the water from the bridge. It is really nice,pretty,crowded, and most of all 75!!!!!
- Cupidessover 13 yearsAMAZING! I never knew that the golden bridge was 75 years old. I also like that the bridge is going to have fireworks. But the video was really boring. There was an annoying beep in the background. And it had no sound. Plus it was colorless. The article was great, the video was boring. iAdios!
- Chrisover 13 yearsWow thats a long bridge. I wonder how long it takes to build it. I wonder how long it takes to walk across it.
- G@brie!!@over 13 yearsWOW! It probably took a long time to make the bridge. OMG! I can't believe the first pedestrians to cross the bridge was on my birthday May 27!!! It sure did cost a lot.
- Lauren Bieberover 13 yearsI learned that it was estimated at 100 Million dollars. And the idea was proposed in 1922 and was actually built in 1932. the idea was proposed by Joseph B. Strauss during the great depression. Also I learned that the bridge is 5 years old
- Emily over 13 yearsI would love to go to that bridge it looks so pretty.it also cost a lot of money.I wonder what they used to build that gigantic bridge.And how they hade enough.it's amazing how they build such a beautiful bridge.
- alex over 13 yearswow $100 million is a lot of money i did not no that The Golden Gate Bridge is 75 years old
- Dannyover 13 yearsWow that is an old bridge. It is also cool. I would want to see that bridge.