Construction employees risked perilous circumstances as the highway and towers took shape over open ocean, given the possibility for permanent employment during the Great Depression. The Golden Gate Bridge, first opened to the public in 1937, has stood the test of time as a picturesque landmark and technical wonder. Its importance stems not only from its Bay Area connections but also because of its global recognition as an icon of freedom and democracy. The bridge's official designation is United States Highway 101. However, because it is popularly known as the Golden Gate Bridge, this article uses that name for simplicity purposes only. There are two main reasons the Golden Gate is so significant that its removal would leave a serious gap in the landscape: first, its position near San Francisco makes it a valuable asset for transportation and communication; second, it represents a major achievement of modern engineering technology. The original idea for a bridge across the Golden Gate came up as early as 1872 when a newspaper editor proposed building a suspension bridge. In 1933, after many delays, the current design was approved by Congress. Work on the bridge began that same year and it was opened to traffic in 1937. At the time of its opening, it was the longest suspension bridge in the world. Today, it remains one of the most important landmarks in California and has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1977.