When did the Golden Gate Bridge open?

Construction of the Golden Gate Bridge across the strait at the mouth of San Francisco Bay began in January 1933, led by chief engineer Joseph Strauss. It opened on 27 May 1937 with a Pedestrian Day, when around 200,000 people walked across, and it opened to vehicles on 28 May. Its main span of 1,280 metres made it the world’s longest suspension bridge span until New York’s Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge opened in 1964. The famous colour, International Orange, was chosen partly because it stands out in fog. A safety net under the deck saved the lives of 19 workers during construction, who became known as the “Halfway to Hell Club”.