Topics in Chronicling America - Brooklyn Bridge; Fanfare and Fatalities

The Brooklyn Bridge opens as the longest suspension bridge in the world on May 24, 1883. The excitement and celebration of the opening are soon tainted by a stampede, caused by panic after a late afternoon accident on the bridge, on May 30, 1883. Although other accidents and events on the bridge make headlines for years to come, the bridge still stands and is one of the oldest suspension bridges in the United States. Read more about it!

Jump to: Sample Articles

Important Dates:

• May 24, 1883: The Brooklyn Bridge is opened to the public with great fanfare; it is the longest suspension bridge in the world at the time of completion.
• May 30, 1883: 12 people die and 36 are seriously injured on the Brooklyn Bridge in a stampede caused by unnecessary panic after a woman trips.
• May 19, 1885: Robert E. Odlum is the first person to commit suicide jumping from the bridge.
• July 23, 1886: Steve Brodie claims to have survived a jump off the bridge.
• October 31, 1920: Bridge is declared safe.

Suggested Search Terms:

• [Try the following terms in combination, proximity, or as phrases using Search Pages in Chronicling America.] Brooklyn Bridge, East River, New York Bridge Company, John Roebling, Washington Roebling, suspension bridge, William C. Kingsley.
• It is important to use a specific date range if looking for articles for a particular event in order to narrow your results.
• Be prepared to distinguish between the many articles that discuss the other major East River bridges (Manhattan, Queensboro, and Williamsburg) constructed between 1880 and 1910.

Sample Articles from Chronicling America:

• "The Bridge Celebration," New-York tribune (New York, NY), May 23, 1883, Page 1, Image 1, col. 4-5.
• "The Brooklyn Bridge," The Sun (New York, NY), May 24, 1883, Page 2, Image 2, col. 1-2.
• "The Great East River Span: Ready for the Opening of the Bridge," New-York tribune (New York, NY), May 24, 1883, Page 1, Image 1, col. 6.
• "Fatal Panic on the Bridge," New-York tribune (New York, NY), May 31, 1883, Page 1, Image 1, col. 1-4.
• "Terrible Disaster," Sacramento Daily Record-Union (Sacramento, CA), May 31, 1883, Page 1, Image 1, col. 5-7.
• "Brooklyn Bridge," The Bourbon News (Millersburg, KY), June 5, 1883, Page 3, Image 3, col. 1-3.
• "He Met Sam Patch's Death," The Sun (New York, NY), May 20, 1885, Page 1, Image 1, col. 1-4.
• "From the Bridge in Safety," New-York tribune (New York, NY), July 24, 1886, Page 1, Image 1, col. 4-5.
• "Brodie Jumps the Bridge," The Sun (New York, NY), July 24, 1886, Page 1, Image 1, col. 3-4.
• "Probing Bridge Break," New-York tribune (New York, NY), July 26, 1901, Page 1, Image 1, col. 6.
• "Inspection Proves Brooklyn Bridge Safe and Sound," New-York tribune (New York, NY), October 31, 1920, Page 12, Image 84, col. 1-8.