San Francisco: Golden Gate Bridge is 75 Birthday Party At The Golden Gate

Since its opening in 1937, nearly two billion cars on the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco rolled. More than ten million people a year visit the bridge. Now is its 75th Birthday celebrated in style.

Gray fog upon awakening, a glittering sea of ​​lights on the finale: The Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco has its 75th Birthday on 27 May 2012 be celebrated. The cold mist that enveloped the two towers in the morning or in the typical summer haze had vanished quickly. The sun streamed gradually tens of thousands of well-wishers to the mile-long beach promenade, which is the "Red Lady" at the feet. The once largest suspension structure in the world probably has more admirers than any other bridge. The painting in the "International Orange" gives the 227-meter high art deco towers even more elegance, than their slender forms radiate already in beauty. The most photographed bridge in the world was on Sunday - like a model on the catwalk - constantly in the spotlight. As the nightly fireworks silver rain like a waterfall over the railing shot, there were shouts and applause wow.

"How does it look like new," enthused Michael Hess of Lohr am Main for the Golden Gate into the Bay of San Francisco. For a tour of California with his family he was accidentally caught in the middle of birthday party. "This is a great architecture," said Hess. You are of course even with the car drove over the bridge. 75 years after the inauguration enjoys the Golden Gate Bridge is still reputed to be a unique building that was not build in the opinion of many. Before the ceremony, the experts were arguing that the treacherous currents and the enormous distance between San Francisco and Marin County are the opposite to conquer all. In the end, the engineer Joseph Strauss through his daring concept and conviction.


"The bridge was not only 215 meters longer than any existing suspension designs, it was also built with strong currents, high waves, wind and fog," said Paul Giroux of civil engineering association. During the ceremony, he stood to answer visitors' questions. Strauss was at the time of his "masterpiece" firmly convinced. "It will stand forever," he said to have smoked at the inauguration of 1937th "With good care it will certainly last another 75 years," predicted Giroux. It is Dennis "Rocky" Della Rocca involved, holding for 28 years the bridge with paint in good shape. "I am proud to be here, it's almost like your own birthday," said the painter, who now leads a team of 40 workers.

David Hull and his wife, Jean, but there was nothing to celebrate. 2003 of its then 26-year-old daughter Kathy depressed by the bridge 70 meters deep had jumped to their deaths. "I'm sure that had the Golden Gate Bridge a higher railing, then my daughter would still be here," said Hull. He is involved with the club "Bridge Rail Foundation" for it to install a device to catch suicides. According to official figures have since 1937 at the Golden Gate in 1558 people committed suicide, the true figure is much higher, Hull suggested. 1558 pairs of shoes were lined up the relatives of suicide victims on Sunday as a memorial next to each other. As an artist was his daughter may have been attracted by the "beautiful design in the middle of the most beautiful location," said Hull.

The first victim jumped three months after the opening of the chest-high railing only in death. Up to 40 people will die each year, the exact numbers are not disclosed. For decades, the construction of a protective device is discussed. According to the latest plans will bridge the management attach to the railing only a net of steel, however, are still missing an estimated 45 million dollars. Of all things was at the Golden Gate Bridge near the birthday of a man's body found in water, reported the "San Francisco Chronicle." Presumably, the latest victim of the "Red Lady", said the authorities.