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The Empire State Story

Timewatch 2000-2001

First transmitted in 2001, this programme chronicles the construction of the Empire State Building in New York, which was the world's tallest skyscraper when opened in 1931.

First transmitted in 2001, this programme chronicles the construction of the Empire State Building in New York, which was the world's tallest skyscraper when opened in 1931. The programme investigates the building's history through interviews with the people who contributed to the construction of this iconic building.

Available now

49 minutes

Last on

Sat 23 Mar 2002 18:30
±«Óãtv Two except East, South East & Yorkshire

More episodes

Previous

The Houdini Myth2000-2001

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All American Collection

All American Collection
This programme is part of ±«Óãtv Four’s All American - a collection of ±«Óãtv programmes from the archives about US culture. Available online to watch in full.

More about this programme

Packed with personal anecdotes and great storytelling, this programme creates a compelling blend of archive and oral history. The Empire State Building took one year and 45 days to build and was completed not only on time, but also under budget. The anticipated cost had been 43 million dollars, but the actual cost was just a little over half that. Could this happen today? Certainly not, according to the contributors whose testimony brings this story about New York's number one tourist attraction vividly to life. 

The programme also covers the tragic events of July 1945 when a United States B25 bomber smashed into the 79th floor of the building. That story is told largely through the testimony of a survivor, the pilot's widow, and a reporter who was sent to the scene.

About ±«Óãtv Four Collection programmes

Programmes are selected, in part, for their historical context and reflect the broadcast standards and attitudes of their time, which may not accord to some current ±«Óãtv editorial guidelines. We aim to select programmes which can be shown in their entirety but in some cases edits are required.

Credits

Narrator Samuel West
Writer Jonathan Gili
Producer Jonathan Gili
Director Jonathan Gili
Series Editor Laurence Rees

Broadcasts

  • Fri 12 Jan 2001 21:00
    ±«Óãtv Two except East, South East & Yorkshire
  • Mon 15 Jan 2001 19:10
    ±«Óãtv Two Wales
  • Mon 5 Feb 2001 09:00
    ±«Óãtv Knowledge
  • Mon 5 Feb 2001 12:00
    ±«Óãtv Knowledge
  • Mon 5 Feb 2001 15:00
    ±«Óãtv Knowledge
  • Mon 5 Feb 2001 18:00
    ±«Óãtv Knowledge
  • Mon 5 Feb 2001 21:00
    ±«Óãtv Knowledge
  • Sat 10 Feb 2001 09:00
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  • Sat 10 Feb 2001 13:00
    ±«Óãtv Knowledge
  • Sat 10 Feb 2001 17:00
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  • Sat 10 Feb 2001 23:00
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  • Sat 14 Apr 2001 08:00
    ±«Óãtv Knowledge
  • Sat 14 Apr 2001 11:00
    ±«Óãtv Knowledge
  • Sat 14 Apr 2001 14:00
    ±«Óãtv Knowledge
  • Sat 14 Apr 2001 17:00
    ±«Óãtv Knowledge
  • Sun 29 Apr 2001 09:40
    ±«Óãtv Knowledge
  • Sun 29 Apr 2001 12:40
    ±«Óãtv Knowledge
  • Sun 29 Apr 2001 15:40
    ±«Óãtv Knowledge
  • Mon 4 Jun 2001 08:00
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  • Mon 4 Jun 2001 11:00
    ±«Óãtv Knowledge
  • Mon 4 Jun 2001 14:00
    ±«Óãtv Knowledge
  • Mon 4 Jun 2001 17:00
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  • Mon 25 Jun 2001 09:40
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  • Mon 25 Jun 2001 12:40
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  • Mon 25 Jun 2001 15:40
    ±«Óãtv Knowledge
  • Sat 23 Mar 2002 18:30
    ±«Óãtv Two except East, South East & Yorkshire

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  • Hidden Gems

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  • All American

    A collection of programmes from the ±«Óãtv archives exploring culture in the USA.