The Empire State Building rose into the New York skyline at a rate of over four stories a week. Astoundingly, construction of the tallest building in the world was completed in just [I 014&I015&I016&I017 / 19 months] - from October 1, 1929, the day the bulldozers began razing the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, to the official opening on May 1, 1931.
Opening day was beautifully clear and sunny, with visibility an ideal 80 miles. The dedication of the building was a worldwide event. [L3 404 / Alfred E. Smith] served as master of ceremonies. His speech was carried to radio audiences over NBC and CBS. Also attending the event was [L3 213 / Governor] [L3 405 / Franklin D Roosevelt], New York city [L3 406 / mayor, James F Walker], and other dignitaries. One key figure who was not present was architect William Lamb, who after months of high pressure had decided to take a relaxing sea cruise instead. He did, however, send a telegram: "One day out and I can still see the building."
At 11:30 in the morning, from his office in Washington DC, President Herbert F Hoover - Smith's political archrival, who had defeated him in the 1928 elections - pressed a telegraph key that illuminated the Empire State Building [V 004 / lobby]. Two of Smith's grandchildren were pressed into service to cut the ribbon. (The stubborn ribbon refused to be cut, however, and Smith stepped forward to rip it away.)
In the next day articles, the press praised the building as "poetry in steel," "building in excelsis," and "the tallest arrow in Manhattan's quiver." The New York Times carried the story on [L3 209 / Page One].
