Deconstructing History: Empire State Building - HISTORY

The world-famous Empire State Building is a symbol of New York City and one of the world's most popular tourist attractions.

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When it was completed in 1931, New York's Empire State building was the world's tallest skyscraper. What was the driving force behind the design of this massive structure?

In This Day In History video clip - May 1, 1931: Empire State Building dedicated - At the White House in Washington, D.C., President Herbert Hoover pushes a button that turns on the lights of New York City's Empire State Building, officially opening the tallest building erected to that date. Standing 102 stories, or 1,454 feet from the top of its lightning rod to its base at 34th Street and Fifth Avenue below, the skyscraper became a world-famous symbol of American ambition and still dominates the Manhattan skyline.

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