New World Trade Center Spire Topped Out
May 10, 2013
The installation of the silver spire topping One World Trade Center was completed today, bringing the structure to the height of 1,776 feet, a reference to the year of America’s declaration of independence from Great Britain, 1776. The skyscraper stands at the site of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Below the new tower is a memorial to the nearly 3,000 people killed in multiple attacks by al-Qa’ida militants. The original Trade Center’s twin towers collapsed after hijacked passenger jets were crashed into them.
When the interior of new Trade Center is finished, the skyscraper will house 2.6 million square feet (242,000 square meters) of commercial office space, plus observation decks, restaurants and other public facilities. The 408-foot- (1,241-meter-) high spire will function as a broadcast antenna for the region’s media outlets.
Additional World Book Articles
- New York City 2001 (a Back in Time article)
- Sky-High Tech (a special report)
- Terrorism: America’s New Enemy (a special report)
