Date: Construction started in January 1870; the bridge was officially opened for use in May 1883.

Architects: John Augustus Roebling and his son, Washington Roebling.

Brooklyn Bridge in History: Upon its completion, the Brooklyn was the longest suspension bridge in the world, spanning 1,595 feet. It's a pity that the original architect never lived to see the end result. Before construction even began, John Roebling died from tetanus as a result of a fall he suffered while surveying the location for the Brooklyn-side tower. His son, Washington, succeeded him as chief engineer and was later rendered an invalid from "decompression sickness" acquired during the construction of the Manhattan-side caisson. During building, workers referred to the bridge as "Roeblings' Curse."

Brooklyn Bridge Today: More than 150,000 vehicles and 2,500 pedestrians cross the Brooklyn Bridge daily. The bridge is perhaps the only place in the world where a plane can fly over a person walking over a car driving over a boat sailing over a subway.

• Unofficial Website