Brooklyn, a borough founded by the Dutch in the 17th century was an independent city until 1898, when Brooklyn decided in a close vote to become a borough of New York. At that time the Brooklyn bridge had connected the two cities for 15 years.
 

The construction of the Brooklyn Bridge started in 1869 and took 14 years to complete it. The driving force behind the whole project, John Roebling died during the construction, together with 20 of his workers. His son took over but he got the caisson- disease during the works on the pillars of the bridge and was on his dead bed during the inauguration. That day about 150,000 people crossed the bridge. The Brooklyn Bridge ranks as one of the greatest engineering feats of the 19th century and remains one of New York's most popular and well known landmarks.