San Fransisco's Golden Gate Bridge turns 72 this year!
The Golden Gate Bridge is one of the most recognizable bridges in the world. Its length, size and bright orange paint job make it unique from any other. The color is called "International Orange" and was picked to match the surrounding landscape and to make it more visible in heavy fog.
Before the bridge was built, people relied on a ferry to bring them back and forth. It was about a 20 minute ride and cost about $1, back in the 1920's of course. But Joseph Strauss was an ambitious engineer and took on the task of building the 1.7 mile bridge across the San Fransisco Bay.
Construction began on January 5, 1933 and ended 5 years later in April of 1937. The project was supposed to cost $35 million, but came in $1.3 million under budget. The bridge opening celebration took place on May 27th of 1937 and last one week. The day before vehicle traffic was allowed, over 200,000 people crossed it by foot and on roller skates.
You may recognize this bridge from the opening credits in Full House and an action filled scene in the recent movie, Monsters Vs. Aliens.