1883 Brooklyn Bridge Mass Hysteria

[Sayeret]

1883 Brooklyn Bridge completed - After 14 years of construction, the Brooklyn Bridge was officially opened. A mass stampede occurred the following week when a rumor of the bridge's potential collapse spread among the 20,000 people on it at the time. Twelve people died due to the hysteria. In 1884, P.T. Barnam, made an effort to alleviate peoples' fears by marching across the Brooklyn Bridge with 21 elephants and 17 camels.

Just posted it because I was surprised and never heard of it.

[Deuterium]

The bridge also played a role in the downfall of Tweed. Interesting trivia, the designer died during early construction due to a smashed toe. His son took over construction and himself fell ill to "the bends" during the work in the caissons.