Empire State Building turns 93: look back at iconic moments

Emily Rahhal
·2 min read
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Empire State Building turns 93: look back at iconic moments

NEW YORK CITY (PIX11) – New York City’s most famous building turns 93 Wednesday, and what an interesting 93 years it’s been.

From the moment former President Herbert Hoover turned on the lights on May 1, 1931, the Empire State Building has been synonymous with the city, its skyline and weird stunts characteristic of New York.

Empire State Building lights up pink for ‘Mean Girls’ cast

Here’s a look back at memorable moments on the world’s first building over 100 stories high:

King Kong’s iconic climb

  • King Kong first climbed the Empire State Building in 1933, and he’s made the trek time and time again in movies and TV. In 1983, a massive 84-foot blow-up of King Kong hung off the tower briefly before it was torn, according to History.com. Now, Kong’s hands sit ripped through the building’s walls in an exhibit that recreates the movie moment.

Jared Leto’s less iconic climb

  • Jared Leto became the first person to ever (legally) climb the Empire State Building in 2023, but his climb was decidedly less beloved than the famed ape. The stunt to promote his band’s tour left many bewildered. When he landed on the 104th floor, Leto performed his band’s song “Season’s” with his brother.

Parachutists jump off the Empire State Building

  • Two British parachutists jumped off the building’s 86th floor with parachutes hidden under their coats in 1986, according to an archived article from The New York Times. They made it safely to the bottom after 60 seconds, covering 1,050 feet of fall. One of the men’s parachutes got caught on a traffic light on 31st Street and Fifth Avenue, the Times reported.

Engagements & weddings galore

  • The building’s first Valentine’s Day wedding was in 1994, and since then, the lovers’ holiday remains the only day to get married at the Empire State Building. The view from the top has been the backdrop for many promposals and fictional moments like “When Harry Met Sally” and “The Mindy Project.” The perfect romantic gesture can be arranged through reservation, but it’ll cost you.

Lightning strikes

  • Lightning has struck the tip of the building a couple of times, including in 2016 when the moment was caught on video. The building was most recently hit by lightning in 2023 and before in 2018.

Ketchup and seemingly ranch

  • We’ve been fooled by the Empire State Building before. New Yorkers have been teased with a potential Rainforest Cafe, a joke nod to Taylor Swift’s chicken tender order, and relocating to Brooklyn. Unfortunately, the cross-borough move and sky-high restaurants were just April Fool’s Day jokes.

Emily Rahhal is a digital reporter from Los Angeles who has covered local news for years. She has been with PIX11 since 2024. See more of her work here and follow her on Twitter.

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