The Empire State Building was Built during the Depression, the building was the center of a competition between Walter Chrysler (Chrysler Corp.) and John Jakob Raskob (creator of General Motors) to see who could build the tallest building. The building's history is full of oddities and marvelous accomplishments that still intrigue the world. In 1945 at the end of World War II, an Army Air Corps B-25 twin-engine bomber plane crashed into the 79th floor of the building in dense fog; from 1931 - present, the building acted as an "Ambassador to New York" to many of the world's renowned political and entertainment figures.

Construction commenced March 17, 1930. Framework rose at a rate of 4 ½ stories per week. The Empire State Building is 102 stories high, has 6,500 windows, 73 Elevators including six freight elevators, operating at speeds from 600 to 1,400 feet per minute (It is possible to ride from lobby to 80th floor in 45 seconds). The building is designed to serve as a lightning rod for the surrounding area - it is struck by lightning about 100 times per year.