In 1987, the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California, became the center of attention during a historic celebration. The city organized a massive event to mark the 50th anniversary of the iconic bridge, which had opened to the public on May 27, 1937. The event attracted an incredible number of people, with around 800,000 individuals gathering to commemorate this special occasion. While the day was filled with excitement and pride, something remarkable and unexpected happened that made this event unforgettable.
The celebration included a variety of activities, but the highlight for many attendees was the chance to walk across the famous bridge. Thousands of people eagerly stepped onto the bridge to participate in what was called “Bridgewalk ’87.” The Golden Gate Bridge, which is known for its elegant design and engineering brilliance, was not used to accommodating such a massive crowd. The sheer number of people standing and walking on the bridge caused an unusual effect. Normally, the bridge has a slight upward curve, known as a convex shape, but on this day, the weight of the crowd caused the bridge to sag by about 2 meters (around 7 feet). This temporary sagging made the bridge appear flat instead of its usual curved shape.
Although the sight of the bridge flattening might have alarmed some people, engineers reassured everyone that the bridge was still safe. Daniel E. Mohn, a respected engineer who worked with the Golden Gate Bridge’s maintenance team, confirmed that the bridge had not been subjected to any dangerous stress. According to Mohn, the sagging was within the bridge’s design limits. The Golden Gate Bridge, like most suspension bridges, is built to handle heavy loads and has a degree of flexibility to allow for such events. This flexibility helps the bridge withstand not only large crowds but also strong winds, earthquakes, and other natural forces.
The Bridgewalk ’87 event highlighted the incredible engineering of the Golden Gate Bridge. Opened in 1937, it was the longest and tallest suspension bridge of its time and quickly became a symbol of American innovation. Its designers, including Joseph Strauss, Irving Morrow, and Charles Alton Ellis, ensured the bridge could endure heavy use and challenging conditions. The 50th-anniversary celebration proved their vision, as the bridge safely carried a weight far beyond what anyone might have expected when it was built.
However, the event also taught an important lesson about crowd control. The massive turnout was far larger than organizers had anticipated. People gathered not just on the bridge but also on surrounding roads and areas, creating traffic congestion and safety concerns. After the event, officials recognized the need for better planning and precautions for similar large-scale gatherings in the future.
The 1987 Golden Gate Bridge anniversary celebration remains a memorable moment in the bridge’s history. It demonstrated the strength and resilience of this architectural marvel while also showing the deep connection people feel to this iconic landmark. For those who attended, it was an unforgettable experience to walk across one of the world’s most famous bridges, even as it briefly flattened under their weight. Today, the Golden Gate Bridge continues to stand as a symbol of San Francisco and a testament to the enduring power of engineering and design.
