XO, to the Bridge! Trivia Quiz

Answer: William Tweed

William "Boss" Tweed served in the United States House of Representatives, but had a shady side to him that was less honorable. Although his career was successful, he was also known for activities such as fraud and money laundering. He was estimated to have stolen $200 million dollars from public work projects for New York City. However he was one of the first contributors of funds for the Brooklyn Bridge's construction.

Because it was a multi-million dollar project, the Brooklyn Bridge was an easy subject for con artists. Many of them sold fake shares in the bridge during its construction, to the disappointment of the people who bought them only to find out it was a hoax.

Sources: "William M. Tweed" Wikipedia, "10 Things You May Not Know about the Brooklyn Bridge" History Channel

Answer: John A. Roebling

John A. Roebling gained a reputation for his architectual skills with his design of many bridges across the United States. Some of these included the Waco Suspension Bridge in Waco, Texas, and the John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge in Cincinnati, Ohio.

The Brooklyn Bridge was his greatest project, and the last one he oversaw due to a tragic accident. He was performing compass readings when his foot was crushed in an accident. He had to have his toes amputated and the wound turned into an infection, from which he never recovered and died of tetanus. However before his death, he passed the work onto his son, Washington Roebling. Washington also suffered from injury and ill health during the bridge's construction. Because he was sick during the majority of the construction, he oversaw its work from his apartment. His wife delivered his plans and instructions to workers.

Source: "John A. Roebling" Wikepedia,"10 Things You May Not Know about the Brooklyn Bridge" History Channel

Answer: It was held at the same time as the birthday of the British monarch Queen Victoria.

The Brooklyn Bridge's grand opening was a time of celebration for more than one occasion. Because the ceremony occurred during the same time as Queen Victoria's 64th birthday, there was a significant cultural boycott from Irish immigrants. Many of the workers that built the Brooklyn Bridge were of Irish descent and did not show up to the grand ceremony and many of the Irish people living in New York City did not join the celebration.

In spite of the protests from the Irish and other political voices, the opening ceremony of the Brooklyn Bridge went on as planned. There were many speeches, including United States President Chester A. Arthur, and the New York Governor Grover Cleveland. The festivities included an hour long firework show and marching of bands and troops of soldiers. On its first day open to the public, 1,800 vehicles and 150,300 people crossed the span.

Source: "The Brooklyn Bridge: A Cultural History" by Richard Haw

Answer: A rumor that the bridge was collapsing

Suspension bridges were still a very new form of technology during the time the Brooklyn Bridge was built and many did not understand its construction or strength. Because of the suspension technology, the bridge moved a little bit with the wind. After its construction, tragedy happened almost immediately from panic. An estimated 20,000 pedestrians were on the bridge a week after its grand opening when a rumor started that the bridge was collapsing. Twelve people were crushed to death and many more obtained bloody injuries from the crowd.

Source: "10 Things You May Not Know about the Brooklyn Bridge" The History Channel, "Brooklyn Bridge" Wikipedia

Answer: True

Brooklyn did not become part of New York City until 1898. Before the merger of the two cities, Brooklyn had been the fourth largest city in the United States.

Answer: William J. Gaynor

The original pedestrian toll of the Brooklyn Bridge charged a penny to cross by foot, 5 cents for a horse and rider, and 10 cents for a horse and wagon. Farm animals were allowed at a price of 5 cents per cow and 2 cents per sheep or hog. Civic protests in 1891 led to the pedestrian fees termination. Road tolls continued though until 1911, when New York Mayor William J. Gaynor fought to make the Bridge toll-free.

He believed the tolls should be eliminated because the bridge was one of the city's greatest landmarks and needed to be open to all people. William J. Gaynor said, "I see no more reason for toll gates on the bridges than for toll gates on Fifth Avenue or Broadway." He saw removing the tollbooths across many other bridges as a way to unite the newer districts of New York City that had been incorporated thirteen years prior to his actions.

Although his actions were well received and had good intentions, it made it harder for the city to pay for many bridges upkeep. In the 1980s many of New York City's bridges were in dangerous shape because the city had lacked the funding for repairs.

Answer: P.T Barnum

The Brooklyn Bridge became an attraction for many stunt men because of its size, height, and construction.

Rumors that the Brooklyn Bridge was not strongly built, inspired the "Greatest Show on Earth" and its founder P.T Barnam, to test its strength. Barnam's fame was largely based on stunts and illusions, so the bridge was a perfect opportunity for publicity. He took a herd of elephants and paraded them across the bridge in 1884 with the circus icon, "Jumbo" the elephant, leading the way.

Over the years, stunt men have jumped from the Brooklyn Bridge's towers, including divers and bungee jumpers. Robert Emmet Odlum, was the first man to jump off the bridge in 1885. He was one of many who died from such actions. A barrier was built to keep people from suicidal attempts.

Answer: True

Before Washington D.C was built, New York had been the capital city of the newly formed nation of the United States. It was also the home of the first president, George Washington. One of the Brooklyn Bridge's anchors is located in the same site believed to where the first presidential mansion stood. A plaque has been placed on the Brooklyn Bridge in honor of where George Washington lived to keep the site a historical marker.

Answer: Peregrine falcons

Peregrine falcons,one of the world's fastest birds, made homes in the high towers and places of many cities until pesticides caused them to disappear. However after certain pesticides were banned, they began to reappear in cities. New York's steeples, chapels and bridges have become popular nesting sites for many of them, and the Brooklyn Bridge attracted them because of its high towers.

Answer: Hart Crane

Since its construction, the Brooklyn Bridge has been a cultural icon to poets, painters, television, and writers.

Hart Crane wrote the poem "To Brooklyn Bridge" in 1930. The Brooklyn Bridge inspired him as a connection between cultures and industrial feat. It has been a noted work from the 20th century. However, Hart Crane didn't get to enjoy his fame. He died at 33 from committing suicide.

For other artists, the Brooklyn Bridge has been one of the top inspirational landmarks in the United States. Andy Warhol, a famous painter, used the Brooklyn Bridge in his works. Arthur Miller, a famous playwright, used the Brooklyn Bridge in his plays. Walker Evans promoted the bridge in his photography. In pop culture, the Brooklyn Bridge became an attraction for comic book characters such as Spiderman, Batman, and Superman.