The Brooklyn Bridge connects Manhattan and Brooklyn across New York City’s East River.
The bridge opened on May 24, 1883, after 14 years of construction. It was then the world’s longest suspension bridge, with a main span of 1,595.5 feet. Its stone Gothic towers and elevated promenade quickly made it a defining feature of New York City.
John A. Roebling conceived the design, but his son Washington Roebling became chief engineer after Roebling died from injuries connected with the project. Emily Warren Roebling helped manage communication between Washington and the work crews while he suffered from decompression sickness.
The bridge was originally called the New York and Brooklyn Bridge. The official name became Brooklyn Bridge in 1915. It is often confused with the nearby Manhattan Bridge and Williamsburg Bridge, both of which also cross the East River.