In Remembrance of The World Trade Center

In Remembrance of The World Trade Center The World Trade Center before September 11, 2001

This Web page was created for the victims of the World Trade Center who lost their lives.
May Their Souls Rest in Peace.

The World Trade Center (WTC) was perhaps the most beautiful building in the world. Thousands of people worked at the WTC, and millions of commuters used the subway system there. The WTC also had a shopping mall with many stores and restaurants, and BORDERS, a great bookstore. The World Trade Center represented diversity; it was a landmark. On September 11, 2001, a terrible tragedy occurred. It was destroyed by two hijacked planes crashing into the Twin Towers. It was devasting, but New Yorkers came together and united. The NYPD and the FDNY deserve the most appreciation, as they risked their lives to save thousands of people.

History of the World Trade Center

The World Trade Center (WTC) located in Downtown New York was made up of seven buildings. Considered a landmark, the WTC had enhanced the skyline, and had been considered one of the top tourist attractions in New York City.

In 1962, The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey started plans to build the Center in Downtown New York. Minoru Yamasaki, an architect, was hired. He is credited for designing The Twin Towers of the World Trade Center.

In 1965, construction began, and 164 buildings were torn down to make place for the 16-acre site.

200,000 tons of steel, 425,000 cubic yards of concrete, 600,000 square feet of glass and 12,000 miles of electric cables were used to build the World Trade Center.

Tower One (called 1 WTC or North Tower) was ready in December, 1970 for its first tenants, though the upper stories were not completed until 1972. Tower Two (called 2 WTC or South Tower) was finished in 1973.

The Twin Towers were considered the tallest buildings in the world, standing at 1,368 feet and 1,362 feet respectively, until the Sears Tower in Chicago was completed and surpassed the Towers in height.

The World Trade Center had a mall, offices, stores, restaurants and more. There were also two New York subway stations, and the PATH trains to New Jersey.

About 50,000 people worked in the WTC, while an additional 200,000 visitors came each day.

The WTC had its own zip code, 10048, and each of the Towers had 97 elevators for passengers and six for freight.

In 1976, a restaurant called Windows on the World opened at the top of the North Tower. Offering a wide array of dishes, and a spectacular view, the restaurant attracted people from all over the world.

Top of The World Trade Center Observatories was another major tourist attraction. Located on the 107th floor, one could enjoy a magnificent view of Manhattan.

Over the course of the years, 19 murders were committed in the Towers, and 17 babies were born there also.

In 1974, a daring Frenchman walked a tightrope between the Towers.

On February 26, 1993, terrorists drove a truck into the basement garage of the World Trade Center. The truck had been packed with 1,100 pounds of explosives. The explosion caused the death of six people, and the injury of 1,000. After the bombing, the parking spaces in the garage were reduced from 1,000 to 600. Security was increased dramatically, as over 300 security personnel worked at the Towers using 300 security cameras. 828 emergency doors were also featured.

Gold bars were stored in vaults at the World Trade Center’s basement. These vaults were used by the COMEX metals trading division of the New York Mercantile Exchange.

In July, 2001, Larry Silverstein, a New York businessman, bought a 99-year lease on the World Trade Center for $3.2 billion from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

On September 11, 2001, a tragedy occurred. Two hijacked planes (American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 175) crashed into the North and South Towers of the World Trade Center. The Twin Towers crumbled; the sight was shocking and devastating. Thousands of people were injured and killed. The skyline has been changed forever. An empty space is visible, a sign of always being reminded of the terrible tragedy. New York will never be the same again.

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