The Brooklyn Bridge opens. Designed by engineer John Roebling, the Brooklyn Bridge is one of the most recognizable symbols of the United States. Made entirely of steel, it connects the island of Manhattan to the borough of Brooklyn, otherwise separated by the East River. Begun in 1867, the construction of this bridge employed approximately 600 workers: 20 lost their lives, and John Roebling’s son, Washington Roebling, suffered from an air embolism. Washington had succeeded his father as project leader when his father died of tetanus. His toes had been amputated following a ferry accident at the docks, and he refused further treatment, instead relying on “water therapy” (continuous water baths on the wound); he died 24 days after the accident. The Brooklyn Bridge is made up of 4 steel cables (each composed of 5657 km of steel wire combined with zinc) and originally had a 5-lane structure, today it has 6, three for traffic towards Manhattan and three for traffic towards Brooklyn.
