Upon its completion in 1931, the Empire State Building in New York City was the world's tallest building. Check out original footage of its construction.

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When it was completed in 1931, New York's Empire State building was the world's tallest skyscraper. What was the driving force behind the design of this massive structure?

The world-famous Empire State Building is a symbol of New York City and one of the world's most popular tourist attractions.

At 9:49 a.m. on Saturday, July 28, 1945, a B-25 Mitchell bomber, lost in fog over Manhattan, slammed into the 79th floor of the Empire State Building, killing 14 people and injuring two dozen. A couple of hours later, a Mutual Broadcasting System reporter interviews eyewitnesses who made a safe escape.

In This Day In History video clip - May 1, 1931: Empire State Building dedicated - At the White House in Washington, D.C., President Herbert Hoover pushes a button that turns on the lights of New York City's Empire State Building, officially opening the tallest building erected to that date. Standing 102 stories, or 1,454 feet from the top of its lightning rod to its base at 34th Street and Fifth Avenue below, the skyscraper became a world-famous symbol of American ambition and still dominates the Manhattan skyline.

Chicago's Willis Tower, formerly named the Sears Tower, was the tallest building in North America. What does it take to maintain and operate this massive skyscraper?

This video clip from "Life After People" looks at the decay and eventual destruction that would happen to buildings and structures from subway tunnels to the Sears Tower if humans were to suddenly vanish from the planet.