It took 5 years to build and it's opening day was exclusively for pedestrians, of which there were around 200,000 who crossed it. Vehicles began using the bridge on 28th May 1937.

The bridge is colored "international orange" and is one of the most recognizable structures in the world.

Joseph Strauss, the chief engineer on the project, had originally submitted his design in 1921, he was given the job in 1929.

Construction began on 5th January 1933. Eleven people died constructing it.

When it opened it was the longest bridge in the world (4,200 feet) and held that record until he Verrazano-Narrows Bridge in New York opened in 1964.