 A first opening of the bridge took place in the same day with the ceremonies for the national day on July 14 , 1897 , in the presence of governor <unk> . The ribbon for the access zone was cut by the governor 's wife , then the officials walked a short distance to the mobile deck , which was opened to allow the passage of the military ship L <unk> . 21 cannon shots were fired at dusk and dawn to commemorate the construction of the bridge and on that day there were organised ceremonies including horse races and donkey races . The second opening was on October 19 , 1897 , in the presence of André <unk> , the prime minister of the French colonies . 
