The Golden Gate Bridge

California's famous Golden Gate Bridge began being designed in 1919.  Some people disapproved of its constructions becasue they thought that the bridge would disrupt the natural beauty of the bay and feared that it would not be able to withstand an earthquake like the one in 1906.  However, this was addressed when the original suspension cable design was scrapped and a safer design was adopted.  The construction of the bridge was difficult to initiate in the 1930s, as the Great Depression left many poor and made it hard to find a financial backer for the project.  It was eventually given a major boost in funding by Bank of America. Construction spanned over four years and only resulted in one casualty.  After its initial construction, the bridge was painted its classic "international orange" because the architect of the bridge thought the color complimented the landscape. Beside the grandeur of its structure and it being an iconic landmark for America, the Golden Gate Bridge has taken on more significance as time has passed: it has come to represent new beginnings, new opportunities, and a new life for those coming to the United States.

Sources:
http://www.history.com/topics/golden-gate-bridge
http://goldengatebridge.org/research/dates.php