The Empire State Building was built during the Great Depression, which was a pretty rough time for the US. But instead of letting that get them down, the city decided to build something totally epic. It was designed by a team of architects, including William Van Alen, who was kind of a genius.
The building was officially opened on May 1, 1931, and it was a huge deal - there were presidents and celebrities at the opening ceremony! It was also super expensive to build, costing around $24 million, which is like, a lot of money even today. But hey, it was worth it, because the Empire State Building is now a beloved landmark.
One of the coolest things about the Empire State Building is the view from the top. You can see for miles and miles, and on a clear day, you can even spot the Statue of Liberty! There are also these super cool observation decks on the 86th and 102nd floors, where you can take in the views and feel like you're on top of the world.
File:NYC Empire State Building.jpg - Wikimedia Commons
