24 May 1883 Brooklyn Bridge officially opened

After 14 years and 27 deaths while being constructed, the Brooklyn Bridge over the East River was opened, connecting  New York and Brooklyn for the first time in history. Thousands of residents of Brooklyn and ManhattanIsland turned out to witness the dedication ceremony, which was presided over by President Chester A. Arthur and New York Governor Grover Cleveland. Designed by the late John A. Roebling, the BrooklynBridge was the largest suspension bridge ever built to that date.