Honoring the World Trade Center - 9/11/2001 - 9/11/2022

The WTC in a mud-puddle,1974, taken from West Street before the building of the West Side Highway. © Paula Barr & Artists Rights Society (ARSNY).

The original World Trade Center (WTC) was a large complex of seven buildings in the Financial District of Lower Manhattan in New York City. It opened on April 4, 1973, and was destroyed in 2001 during the September 11 attacks. At the time of their completion, the Twin Towers—the original 1 World Trade Center (the North Tower) at 1,368 feet (417 m); and 2 World Trade Center (the South Tower) at 1,362 feet (415.1 m)—were the tallest buildings in the world. 

The core complex was built between 1966 and 1975, at a cost of $400 million (equivalent to $3.56 billion in 2022).  The idea was suggested by David Rockefeller to help stimulate urban renewal in Lower Manhattan, and his brother Nelson signed the legislation to build it.  The buildings at the complex were designed by Minoru Yamasaki. In 1998, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey decided to privatize it by leasing the buildings to a private company to manage. It awarded the lease to Silverstein Properties in July 2001.  During its existence, the World Trade Center symbolized globalization and the economic power of America. The Twin Towers became an icon of New York City.  It had a major role in popular culture, and according to one estimate was depicted in 472 films. Following the September 11 attacks, mentions of the complex in various media were altered or deleted, and several dozen "memorial films" were created.

The Statue of Liberty and the WTC. © Paula Barr & Artists Rights Society (ARSNY).