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Opened on May 24, 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge was the first fixed crossing of the East River. It was also the longest suspension bridge in the world at the time of its opening, with a main span of 1,595.5 feet (486.3 m) and a deck 127 ft (38.7 m) above mean high water.
Apr 19, 2024 · Brooklyn Bridge, suspension bridge spanning the East River from Brooklyn to Manhattan in New York City. A brilliant feat of 19th-century engineering, the Brooklyn Bridge was the first bridge to use steel for cable wire, and during its construction explosives were used inside a pneumatic caisson for the first time.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Mar 22, 2010 · Learn about the Brooklyn Bridge, the first steel suspension bridge in the world, that connects Manhattan and Brooklyn across the East River. Discover its design, engineering, challenges, and legacy with photos and timeline.
Learn about the Brooklyn Bridge, a historic suspension bridge that connects Manhattan and Brooklyn since 1883. See photos of its construction, design, and role in New York City's development and culture.
- Jesse Greenspan
- Boss Tweed helped get the project started. William M. “Boss” Tweed, the infamously corrupt head of New York City’s Tammany Hall political machine, latched on to the Brooklyn Bridge project from the very beginning.
- At least 20 people died during the bridge’s construction. The first fatality came in 1869 before construction had even begun. German-born John A. Roebling, who designed the bridge, was taking compass readings one afternoon when his foot was crushed between some pilings and a boat.
- It was the longest suspension bridge in the world—by far. A few high-profile collapses in the first half of the 19th century prevented suspension bridges from immediately catching on.
- The bridge opened with a massive celebration. Huge crowds gathered on May 24, 1883, to watch the bridge’s opening ceremony, which The New York Times described, in reference to Brooklyn, as “the greatest gala day in the history of that moral suburb.”
Feb 3, 2021 · Learn about the history and engineering of Brooklyn Bridge, the longest suspension bridge ever built when it opened in 1883. Discover how it connects Manhattan and Brooklyn, and what attractions you can enjoy along the way.
Brooklyn's beachside attraction holds the Cyclone roller coaster, the Wonder Wheel, the New York Aquarium, the original Nathan’s Famous and a boardwalk. Get tips and tour information on visiting the Brooklyn Bridge. The iconic landmark attracts New Yorkers and tourists alike.
