May 24 marked the 125th anniversary of the opening of the Brooklyn Bridge in 1883.
John and Washington Roebling's bridge was the first fixed crossing between the cities of New York and Brooklyn. Before then, the only way to cross the East River was by ferry.
The bridge is still used by millions of commuters. When I worked downtown and lived in Brooklyn Heights, I regularly worked late and took a cab home. Crossing the bridge at night was always a joy, leaving behind the towers of lower Manhattan and seeing the string of lights vaulting across the river to Brooklyn.
Fireworks at the opening of the Brooklyn Bridge in 1883 (Metropolitan Museum of Art)
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