In 1931, the Empire State Building opens in New York City.
If you've watched the film "King Kong," you might recall the structure that the gigantic ape climbs. On this date in history, May 1, 1931, the Empire State Building officially opened. On Washington, D.C., President Herbert Hoover clicked a button, and the lights in the world's highest tower turned on. Previously, the Chrysler Building held the record for a short time at 1046 feet. The 110-story Sears Tower in Chicago is now the highest structure in the United States.
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