363. The Bridge

The Brooklyn Bridge caught fire during America's 250th birthday celebration last night. This is not a comfortable way to begin an entry, but it is what happened.

The fire occurred during New York City's fireworks display, which was part of a nationwide event called Freedom 250. Freedom 250 was intended to celebrate 250 years of American independence. The Brooklyn Bridge is 143 years old. It survived the Civil War, two World Wars, the 1929 crash, September 11th, and several mayors. It did not get through Freedom 250 without incident.

The fire was visible from multiple vantage points across the East River. The bridge remained structurally sound. Officials noted the fire as an incident. The celebration continued around it.

It should also be noted that Freedom 250 simultaneously broke the Guinness World Record for the number of fireworks launched in a single event. The previous record was 811,000. Freedom 250 launched 850,000. The Brooklyn Bridge was in the vicinity of 850,000 fireworks. Whether these facts are related is, at this point, a question that seems to have answered itself.

The bridge did not collapse. America turned 250 years old at the moment its most famous bridge was on fire, and then the fireworks continued. In approximately that order.

There is a theory that the bridge fire will be remembered as a metaphor for something. I am not in a position to identify what. I am in a position to note that when a country celebrates its birthday by accidentally igniting its landmarks and then continues, that is a specific kind of confidence. The bridge has, in 143 years, seen a great deal. It will continue to stand between Manhattan and Brooklyn. It has survived everything so far.

The Guinness record is expected to stand for several years. The bridge record (most famous American bridge briefly on fire during a record-breaking fireworks display) does not have an existing category. It may need one.