Summary
Although cars began crossing it in November 1957, the official dedication festival took place from June 25‑28, 1958.
It remains the longest suspension bridge in the western half of the world.
Key Points
4 points1
The bridge spans the Straits of Mackinac, connecting Michigan's Upper and Lower Peninsulas.
2
It was built to allow vehicles to travel across the water without a ferry.
3
The dedication festival included a ribbon‑cutting ceremony and celebrations lasting four days.
4
At over 5 miles long, it is the longest suspension bridge in the western hemisphere.
New Words to Learn
4 wordssuspension bridge
a type of bridge that hangs from large steel cables stretched between tall towers
western hemisphere
the half of the Earth that includes the Americas and parts of western Africa and Europe
dedication festival
a special event held to officially open and celebrate a new structure
ribbon‑cutting
a ceremonial act of cutting a ribbon to mark the opening of a building or bridge
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