27 April 1994: South Africa Holds First Democratic Election
On May 27, 1937, the Golden Gate Bridge opened to pedestrian traffic, marking the completion of what was then the longest and tallest suspension bridge in the world. Spanning the treacherous strait connecting San Francisco Bay to the Pacific Ocean, the bridge was a triumph of engineering that many had deemed impossible. Its distinctive International Orange towers, rising 746 feet above the water, would become one of the most recognized landmarks on Earth.
The idea of bridging the Golden Gate had been discussed for decades before construction finally began. The strait presented formidable challenges: powerful tidal currents, frequent fog, strong winds, and a depth reaching over 300 feet in places. Many engineers believed a bridge at this location was simply not feasible. Joseph Strauss, the chief engineer who championed the project, spent years developing plans and building political support before construction finally began in January 1933, at the height of the Great Depression.
Building the bridge required innovations that pushed the boundaries of engineering knowledge. The construction of the south tower foundation, situated in open water with fierce currents, demanded unprecedented techniques. Workers labored inside a protective fender, a massive oval structure designed to shield them from waves and ships. Thousands of workers risked their lives on the project, and despite extensive safety precautions, eleven men died during construction. Ten of those deaths occurred in a single accident when a scaffold fell, ripping through a safety net.
The bridge’s distinctive color was never intended to be permanent. The steel arrived from the fabrication plant coated in a red lead primer, and consulting architect Irving Morrow recognized its aesthetic potential. Rather than painting the bridge the traditional silver or gray, he specified a warm vermillion called International Orange that complemented the natural setting and remained visible in fog. The color has become inseparable from the bridge’s identity.
The public opening on May 27 was a celebration like San Francisco had never seen. Approximately 200,000 people paid a nickel each to be among the first to walk across the span. Some roller skated, others did handstands, and a few brought their stilts. The following day, the bridge opened to automobile traffic, with President Franklin Roosevelt pressing a telegraph key in Washington to signal the official start. The bridge instantly became a beloved symbol of American ingenuity and optimism.
The Golden Gate Bridge has exceeded all expectations for longevity and importance. Initially, critics worried that toll revenues would be insufficient to pay off the construction bonds, but the bridge proved enormously popular with drivers. Retrofitted over the decades to withstand earthquakes and accommodate modern traffic, it remains vital to the San Francisco Bay Area’s transportation network. More than two billion vehicles have crossed the span since its opening, and millions of visitors come each year simply to admire its majestic beauty.
