Brooklyn Bridge stampede
The Brooklyn Bridge stampede occurred on May 30, 1883, the week after the Brooklyn Bridge opened. Twelve people died and 36 were seriously injured.[1]
The stampede occurred on Memorial Day (which at the time was always observed on May 30[2]), and a large crowd flocked to the bridge, causing a pedestrian bottleneck. When a woman fell down the stairs, another woman screamed, inducing panic in the crowd.[3] According to the New York Times, "In a moment the whole stairway was packed with dead and dying men, women and children piled upon another in a writhing, struggling mass."[4]
References
[edit]- ^ "Brooklyn Bridge, Fanfare and Fatalities: Topics in Chronicling America". LOC Research Guides. Library of Congress. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
- ^ David McCullough erroneously gives the date as May 31. David McCullough, The Great Bridge: The Epic Story of the Building of the Brooklyn Bridge. p. 543.
- ^ McNamara, Robert. "Brooklyn Bridge Disaster". ThoughtCo. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
- ^ Frishberg, Hannah (June 21, 2016). ""The Bridge Is Falling": The Story of the Brooklyn Bridge's Deadly Stampede". Brownstoner. Retrieved February 25, 2025.