Happy 75th Anniversary to Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, CA - May 27, 2012

“The mystical structure, with its perfect amalgam of delicacy and power, exerts an uncanny effect. Its efficiency cannot conceal the artistry. There is heart there, and soul. It is an object to be contemplated for hours.”
~~ Herb Caen, May 1987 Pulitzer Prize-winning San Francisco journalist

Seventy-five years ago today, May 27, 1937, the Golden Gate Bridge opened and San Francisco, CA would never be the same. Tens of thousands of participants are expected at the historic celebration along the San Francisco waterfront to celebrate on this Memorial Day holiday weekend.

The iconic Golden Gate Bridge is a suspension bridge spanning the Golden Gate, the opening of the San Francisco Bay into the Pacific Ocean. It has been declared one of the modern Wonders of the World by the American Society of Civil Engineers. The Frommers travel guide considers the Golden Gate Bridge "possibly the most beautiful, certainly the most photographed, bridge in the world".

Construction began on January 5, 1933 and cost more than $35 million. Four and a half years later, the Golden Gate Bridge opened on May 27, 1937. When completed, the Golden Gate Bridge had the longest suspension bridge main span in the world, at 4,200 feet (1,280.2 m). Since 1964, its main span length has been surpassed by eight other bridges. However, it still has the second longest main span in the United States, after the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge in New York City. At 692 feet (211m) (above water), the Golden Gate Bridge also had the world's tallest suspension towers when built. It held that status until 1998, with the completion of bridges in Denmark and Japan.


The color of the bridge is officially an orange vermillion called international orange. The color was selected by consulting architect Irving Morrow because it complements the natural surroundings and enhances the bridge's visibility in fog. Aesthetics was the foremost reason why the first design of Joseph Strauss was rejected. Upon re-submission of his bridge construction plan, he added details, such as lighting, to outline the bridge's cables and towers. In 1999, it was ranked fifth on the List of America's Favorite Architecture by the American Institute of Architects.

Other Resources
►Golden Gate Bridge 75th Anniversary, May 27, 2012
►WSJ, Birthday Bash Planned for Bridge, But Will the Golden Gate Show?
► Golden Gate Research
►Golden Gate Bridge – Wikipedia.org
► Huffington Post, Golden Gate Bridge 75th Anniversary: The World's Most Iconic Bridge Celebrates Historic Milestone (PHOTOS)
► Facebook, Golden Gate Bridge 75th Anniversary
► Images for Golden Gate Bridge
► L.A. NOW - Battleship Iowa make dramatic exit under Golden Gate Bridge
► San Francisco Gate
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