On May 22, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz and Mayor Michael Bloomberg welcomed thousands of celebrants on both sides of the East River for the 125th birthday of the iconic Brooklyn Bridge. Five days of events were kicked off with a free concert, fireworks and lighting display at Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park.

“The Brooklyn Bridge made a big, bold statement right from the start,” says BP Markowitz. “In 1883, it was opened with the goal of joining the two largest municipalities in the nation at the time, New York City and the City of Brooklyn—and its glittering span of steel, stone, wood and light continues to symbolize the bond that links our fortunes forever. Today, hundreds of thousands of tourists cross the Brooklyn Bridge each year to get a taste of the ‘Brooklyn Renaissance.’ We wish the Brooklyn Bridge a Happy Birthday—in every one of Brooklyn’s136 languages. At 125 years young, she is as vital and majestic as ever!”