Here’s a brief look back in time for this day, May 27.
In 1937, the Golden Gate Bridge opens to the public in the San Francisco Bay. It was a concept once thought too impractical and expensive to bring, especially with its potential to hinder ship traffic to and from the essential waterway. However, after four years of construction, it was made into reality. Over 200,000 people either walked or roller-skated across the Californian icon. Vehicular traffic would be allowed to cross the following day.
In 1939, a ship carrying 937 Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi Germany is turned away by Cuban officials. The ship, called the St. Louis, was enroute to the Americas from Hamburg, Germany. At this time, the world was still undergoing the difficulties of the Great Depression, which stymied negative sentiment against immigrants looking for jobs. When word reached the Cuban public about the incoming ship, right-wing newspapers began imploring the government to not allow the refugees to enter. The United States and Canada’s also refused to allow the St. Louis to enter their harbors after the attempt. The group overlooking visa negotiations, the Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, managed to secure safe passage to four other European countries. Great Britain took 288 passengers; the Netherlands got 181 passengers; Belgium took 214 passengers; and 224 passengers found temporary refuge in France.