May 28: historical facts and curiosities

On May 28, 1937, the iconic Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California, officially opened to pedestrians. This engineering marvel connects San Francisco to Marin County across the Golden Gate strait. Thousands walked its span, celebrating a monumental achievement. Its distinctive Art Deco design and international orange color quickly made it a global symbol. Construction took over four years, overcoming significant challenges, with vehicular traffic beginning the next day.

On May 28, 1961, British lawyer Peter Benenson launched a campaign in The Observer with his article "The Forgotten Prisoners." This initiative swiftly grew into Amnesty International, a global movement dedicated to defending human rights. It mobilizes millions worldwide to campaign against abuses and injustice, striving to protect individuals whenever justice, freedom, and truth are denied. The organization received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1977.

On May 28, 1959, the United States achieved a milestone in space exploration. Monkeys Able (a rhesus macaque) and Miss Baker (a squirrel monkey) were launched aboard a Jupiter AM-18 missile from Cape Canaveral. They traveled over 530 km into space and endured forces 38 times that of gravity. Crucially, they became the first animals to survive a space flight and return to Earth alive. Their successful mission provided vital biomedical data for future human spaceflight, paving the way for astronauts.