Watch Modern Marvels online: Episode Empire State Building

At a time when American dreams were in short supply, an iconic engineering marvel rose up through the New York City skyline and inspired a nation. Planned during the 1920s, construction on what would become the world's tallest man-made structure was almost grounded by the Depression. In spite of the country's economic troubles, intrepid construction workers prevailed, carefully assembling the building's magnificent steel frame at an astonishing pace of four-and-a-half stories per week. In just over a year, the miraculous structure was finished, and a monumental symbol of the indomitable American spirit was forever etched into the New York City landscape. From the first plans to the final rivet, explore this captivating and inspirational tale of the great Empire State Building.

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