Golden Gate Bridge

The Golden Gate Bridge, an iconic landmark and engineering marvel, connects San Francisco and Marin County in California. Its opening in 1937 marked a significant moment in American history and infrastructure.

• Designed by engineer Joseph Strauss, architect Irving Morrow, and engineer Charles Ellis
• Spanning 1.7 miles (8,981 feet) and standing 746 feet tall, it was the world’s longest and tallest suspension bridge at the time of completion
• The bridge’s construction began on January 5, 1933, and took a little over four years to complete
• Costing around $35 million (equivalent to about $530 million today), the project was financed through bonds during the Great Depression
• 11 workers lost their lives during the construction process, while 19 others were saved by a safety net installed beneath the bridge
• On May 27, 1937, the bridge was opened to pedestrians, and about 200,000 people crossed the bridge on foot and roller skates
• The following day, May 28, the bridge officially opened to vehicular traffic with a ceremony led by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who pressed a telegraph key in the White House to signal the start of the event
• The Golden Gate Bridge has become a symbol of American progress and a popular tourist attraction, as well as the subject of numerous films, television shows, and photographs
• The bridge’s distinctive “International Orange” color was chosen for both visibility and aesthetic purposes; it contrasts with the surrounding landscape and makes the bridge more visible in foggy conditions

The opening of the Golden Gate Bridge in 1937 was a significant event in American history, marking a major achievement in engineering and creating an iconic landmark. The bridge connected San Francisco and Marin County and became a symbol of progress and a popular subject in pop culture.