On this day in 1937 the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California, was officially opened by President Franklin D. Roosevelt (not pictured) in Washington, D.C., who pushed a button signaling the start of vehicle traffic over the span.

Born on this day in 1779 composer and poet Thomas Moore

Born on this day in 1844 composer Léon Vasseur

Born on this day in 1883 composer Riccardo Zandonai

Born on this day in 1889 composer José Padilla

Born on this day in 1904 baritone Sándor Svéd

Born on this day in 1916 conductor Nicola Rescigno

Born on this day in 1923 composer György Ligeti

Born on this day in 1924 opera record and video producer John Culshaw

Born on this day in 1925 baritone Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau

Happy 84th birthday composer Peter Westergaard

Born on this day in 1935 bass Richard Van Allan

Happy 80th birthday soprano Franca Fabbri