When the Empire State Building opened in 1931, it was the tallest building in the world and a marvel of engineering. Learn more about its incredible history in this scene from The UnXplained. | The Unxplained Zone

The Empire State Building, one of the most iconic skyscrapers in the world, was completed in 1931 during the depths of the Great Depression. Standing at 1,454 feet (including its antenna), it was the tallest building in the world until the World Trade Center towers were completed in the 1970s. The project was financed by former New York Governor Al Smith and built on the site of the old Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. It was designed by the architectural firm Shreve, Lamb & Harmon, with a plan that was h