The Empire State Building, which is located in New York City, is a very famous skyscraper. When it was completed in 1931, it was the tallest building in the world. And it remained the tallest building until the World Trade Center (also in New York) was completed in 1970.

This drawing shows the building shortly after it was completed. The building has 102 stories and a tall antenna on top. It was an amazing building back in the 1930’s, and it’s still an amazing building today.

The American Society of Civil Engineers named the Empire State Building one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. No wonder!

Fun Fact: The construction of the Empire State Building took only one year and 45 days (March 1930 to April 1931). That’s the fastest that any building its size has ever been built.

Fun Fact: The Empire State Building has two observation decks where tourists can look out over the city. One deck is on the 86th floor and the other is on the 102nd floor.

Fun Fact: The Empire State Building was ranked #1 by the American Institue of Architects in the list of America’s favorite architecture.

Fun Fact: The Empire State Building is 1,454 feet tall and weighs about 365,000 tons. That’s big!

Fun Fact: In the The Mystery Ryders story Trouble on the TV Train, the Ryder family takes their train to the northern part of New York State, which is called “upstate” New York. In upstate New York, the Ryders see Niagara Falls. And after that, they go to New York City.

Quotes from Famous New Yorkers

“Never let the fear of striking out get in your way.”
Babe Ruth. Baseball Legend

“You may be disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if you don’t try.
Beverly Sills, Opera Singer

“The measure of who we are is what we do with what we have.”
Vince Lombardi, Football Coach

“Talent is only the starting point.”
Irving Berlin, Composer

“It isn’t where you came from. It’s where you’re going that counts.”
Ella Fitzgerald, Singer