The Statue of Liberty, gifted by France in 1886, stands as a universal symbol of freedom and democracy. Standing at 305 feet, it was designed by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and engineered by Gustave Eiffel. The statue’s base contains a broken chain, symbolizing the abolition of slavery. Lesser-known is the fact that the statue functions as a functioning lighthouse from 1886 to 1902.
The Empire State Building, completed in 1931, held the title of the world's tallest building for nearly 40 years. It was constructed in just 13 months, a record time for its era. The building is struck by lightning about 23 times each year. Its spire was initially designed as a mooring mast for dirigibles, although this plan proved impractical.
Central Park, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, was the first landscaped public park in the United States. It covers 843 acres and includes 36 bridges and arches. The park’s Belvedere Castle serves as a weather station for the National Weather Service. The park’s "Great Lawn" was once a reservoir.
The Brooklyn Bridge, completed in 1883, was the world’s first steel-wire suspension bridge. It spans 1,595 feet and was designed by John A. Roebling. The bridge contains hidden passageways that were used as wine cellars during the Prohibition era. Roebling died of tetanus before its completion, and his son Washington Roebling took over but was bedridden due to decompression sickness, so his wife, Emily Roebling, supervised the remaining construction.
The Chrysler Building, completed in 1930, is an Art Deco masterpiece and was the world's tallest building for 11 months before the Empire State Building surpassed it. The building’s spire was secretly assembled inside the building and hoisted into place to outshine the Bank of Manhattan Building. Its gargoyles are modeled after Chrysler automobile ornaments.
Times Square is known as "The Crossroads of the World" and draws approximately 50 million visitors annually. The area was originally called Longacre Square before being renamed in 1904 after The New York Times moved its headquarters there. The New Year's Eve ball drop tradition started in 1907 and the first ball was made of iron and wood, weighing 700 pounds.
The One World Trade Center, also known as the Freedom Tower, stands at 1,776 feet, symbolizing the year of American independence. Completed in 2013, it is the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere. Its base is a perfect 200-foot square, and it includes a 408-foot spire that makes it visible from as far as 20 miles away. The building’s design incorporates numerous safety features that were a direct response to the 9/11 attacks.
The Flatiron Building, completed in 1902, is one of the earliest skyscrapers ever built. Its unique triangular shape was designed to fit its plot at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and Broadway. The building’s narrowest point is just six and a half feet wide. It was initially called the "Fuller Building" but was quickly nicknamed "Flatiron" due to its resemblance to a cast-iron clothes iron.
These landmarks collectively form the iconic skyline of New York City and each carries a wealth of history and hidden trivia that contribute to their significance.