Golden Gate Bridge turns 75

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SAN FRANCISCO, May 28 (UPI) -- The Golden Gate Bridge celebrated its 75th birthday in the San Francisco Bay with fireworks.

Thousands of people showed up at Crissy Field Sunday to celebrate the bridge's 75th birthday, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

"It was beautiful how the city put together such spectacular fireworks," said Fernando Tercero, who came to watch the fireworks. "I've never seen anything like that. I've been to many events, but this is No. 1 on my list."

The fireworks came after a day of activities, including live music, art shows, boat parades and renditions of "San Francisco (Open Your Golden Gate)"

"It's one of the most beautiful pieces of artwork in the world. What more is there to say?" said John Moore, who walked across the bridge with his family Sunday. "We wouldn't miss this."

A darker side of the Golden Gate Bridge's 75-year history was also made know during festivities Sunday, the news report said.

The Bridge Rail Foundation, which works to prevent bridge suicides, displayed 1,558 pairs of shoes to represent the estimated number of people who have jumped off the bridge since it opened in 1937.

The estimated number may have grown Sunday, as the body of a man was found by a beach walker near the St. Francis Yacht Club just after 6 a.m. Police are investigating the incident but say it was likely a suicide.

Yet, most event-goers celebrated the bridge's elegance and beauty Sunday.

"I was in this little house in Scotland, looking at this bridge every night and thinking, 'That's amazing. I wonder if I'll ever go there,'" said Ian Robertson of Dundee, Scotland. "It's a beautiful sculpture. It's imagination. It's elegance. And it works in all weather."