GOLDEN GATE OPENED 77 YEARS AGO TODAY
San Francisco (JFK+50) The Golden Gate Bridge was opened to pedestrian traffic 77 years ago today, May 27, 1937, here in San Francisco, California.
200,000 people came out to take a stroll across the beautiful orange colored suspension bridge.
The Golden Gate's elegant design was the result of collaboration between engineers Joseph Strauss, Leon Moisseiff and architect Irving Morrow.
Construction began on January 5, 1933.
The bridge is 4280 feet in length. At its opening, the Golden Gate was the longest suspension bridge in the world.
It was replaced, however, as the longest suspension bridge in the United States by the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge completed in 1964 in New York City.
In 1998, the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge in Kobe, Japan became and remains today the longest suspension bridge in the world.
The Verrazano-Narrows Bridge has a span of 1298 feet, and the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge spans 1991 feet.
On May 28, 1937, President Franklin D. Roosevelt pushed a button at the White House which signaled the start of vehicular traffic on the Golden Gate Bridge.
The Golden Gate Bridge
San Francisco, California
Photo by Rich Niewiroski, Jr. (2007)
DYLAN RELEASED "FREE WHEELIN" 51 YEARS AGO
Fifty one years ago today, May 27, 1963, Bob Dylan released his second album, "Free Wheelin" on Columbia records.
In the summer of 1963, Peter, Paul and Mary turned the 1st cut from the album, "Blowin in the Wind", into an international hit.
From that point forward, Bob Dylan became a household name.
John Lennon said that when the Beatles first heard "Free Wheelin" in Paris, they couldn't stop playing it.
Bob Dylan
Azkena Rock Festival
Photo by Alberto Cabello (2010)
GERMAN BATTLESHIP BISMARCK SUNK 73 YEARS AGO TODAY
London (JFK+50) The German battleship Bismarck was sunk 73 years ago today, May 27, 1941, by the British Navy in the North Atlantic.
After having sunk the British cruiser Hood, the Bismarck, leaking fuel, fled for Nazi occupied France.
The German ship was sighted and crippled by the Royal Air Force and then sent to the bottom of the ocean by three British warships.
"The fog was gone the seventh day
and they saw the morning sun
Ten hours away from homeland
the Bismarck made its run
The Admiral of the British fleet
said turn those bows around
We found that German battleship
and we're gonna cut her down."
"Sink the Bismarck"
by Johnny Horton
San Francisco (JFK+50) The Golden Gate Bridge was opened to pedestrian traffic 77 years ago today, May 27, 1937, here in San Francisco, California.
200,000 people came out to take a stroll across the beautiful orange colored suspension bridge.
The Golden Gate's elegant design was the result of collaboration between engineers Joseph Strauss, Leon Moisseiff and architect Irving Morrow.
Construction began on January 5, 1933.
The bridge is 4280 feet in length. At its opening, the Golden Gate was the longest suspension bridge in the world.
It was replaced, however, as the longest suspension bridge in the United States by the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge completed in 1964 in New York City.
In 1998, the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge in Kobe, Japan became and remains today the longest suspension bridge in the world.
The Verrazano-Narrows Bridge has a span of 1298 feet, and the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge spans 1991 feet.
On May 28, 1937, President Franklin D. Roosevelt pushed a button at the White House which signaled the start of vehicular traffic on the Golden Gate Bridge.
The Golden Gate Bridge
San Francisco, California
Photo by Rich Niewiroski, Jr. (2007)
DYLAN RELEASED "FREE WHEELIN" 51 YEARS AGO
Fifty one years ago today, May 27, 1963, Bob Dylan released his second album, "Free Wheelin" on Columbia records.
In the summer of 1963, Peter, Paul and Mary turned the 1st cut from the album, "Blowin in the Wind", into an international hit.
From that point forward, Bob Dylan became a household name.
John Lennon said that when the Beatles first heard "Free Wheelin" in Paris, they couldn't stop playing it.
Bob Dylan
Azkena Rock Festival
Photo by Alberto Cabello (2010)
GERMAN BATTLESHIP BISMARCK SUNK 73 YEARS AGO TODAY
London (JFK+50) The German battleship Bismarck was sunk 73 years ago today, May 27, 1941, by the British Navy in the North Atlantic.
After having sunk the British cruiser Hood, the Bismarck, leaking fuel, fled for Nazi occupied France.
The German ship was sighted and crippled by the Royal Air Force and then sent to the bottom of the ocean by three British warships.
"The fog was gone the seventh day
and they saw the morning sun
Ten hours away from homeland
the Bismarck made its run
The Admiral of the British fleet
said turn those bows around
We found that German battleship
and we're gonna cut her down."
"Sink the Bismarck"
by Johnny Horton
