Building a Landmark

This Day in History: January 5, 1933

Gazing upon the Golden Gate Bridge leaves each viewer awestruck! Stopping to think how the idea of such a phenomenal bridge came into being is almost unimaginable...almost, that is! The light bulb shone brightly on what was to become one of the world's most beautiful bridges, a stunning technological and artistic achievement of unprecedented proportions.

The Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco via Reg Saddler

A Step Back in Time... 

On January 5, 1933, during the worst depression of the 20th century, construction begins on the Golden Gate Bridge. This is during a time when Americans can be found standing in breadlines and 1 in 4 are unemployed. Workers from all walks of life - former farmers, clerks, taxicab drivers, cowboys, lumberjacks - become steel-driving men welcoming the work in order to feed families. These are the Men Who Built the Bridge. On this day, excavation is in progress of 3.25 million cubic feet of dirt for the structure’s huge anchorages.

With each subsequent year, historical events are revisited. On January 5, 2014, Awakenings featured an article the Golden Gate Bridge is Born. Additional information and photos are presented, along with a video, Deconstructing History: Golden Gate Bridge.

 (Credit: Hoberman Collection/UIG via Getty Images)

Takes your breath away, doesn't it?