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