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