When people first think of the Twin Towers, the first thing that comes to mind is the tragedy of 9/11. But before that infamous day, the Twin Towers were among the tallest buildings in the world. And at one point, the World Trade Center was even considered the world’s tallest TV station.

The North Tower, completed first in December 1970, stood at an impressive 1,368 feet. Meanwhile, its twin South Tower, completed in July 1971, stood at 1,362 feet.

Not long after being completed in 1971, the Word Trade Center was soon dwarfed by the Sears Tower in Chicago. Standing at an eye-watering 1,451 feet, the Sears Tower became even taller than the World Trade Center. 

But with a simple addition, the Word Trade Center was soon able to reclaim the title of “World’s Tallest Building.”

The North Tower: The Tallest TV Station in the World

Until its destruction on 9/11, the North Tower had the distinction of being the tallest building in the world at 1,728 feet. But how did the North Tower gain several hundred feet on its twin tower? The answer to that is simple: an antenna. 

Building the twin towers was very expensive. Along with the huge insurance policy that cost billions of dollars, the building’s upkeep, insurance, and rent were costly for its owners. To help offset the cost, they got the idea of turning the North Tower into the country’s largest television station.

In 1979, the owners decided to mount a television antenna on the North Tower. Often working in cranes and baskets almost two thousand feet above the streets of Manhattan, the crews were known as “cloud piercers.” This is because they were so high up they would often be standing far above the cloud covers. 

When completed, the tower provided television coverage for all of New York state. 

The Man Behind the Famous Photo of the World’s Tallest TV Station

Peter Kaplan was a famous photographer who was both a photographer and stuntman. Growing up in New York, Peter was fond of taking pictures from high places, even from a young age. But once he grew up, he took that love of photography to new heights – literally. 

After becoming famous for climbing the Statue of Liberty and snapping several, now world-renowned, photos, Peter Kaplan cemented his fame as both a photographer and daredevil. Clambering up places like the Empire State Building, St. Louis Arch, and Golden Gate Bridge, Peter made it his lifelong passion for showing the world what it looked like from its highest places. 

For the photo showing the antenna on the North Tower, Peter went up not once, not twice, but 12 separate times to get all the shots he needed. Talk about dedication!

Other Artists Who Have Scaled the World Trade Center

The “cloud piercers” and photographer Peter Kaplan weren’t the only ones to bravely make their way high up the World Trade Center.

August 7, 1974: High-wire walker Philippe Petit traversed a 131-foot-long cable between the Twin Towers and walked back and forth several time, 1,350 feet in the air. Even more impressive, he performed the act without a net.

July 22, 1975: Atop the North Tower, Owen Quinn performed the first ever (although unauthorized) parachute jump at the World Trade Center from the top of the North Tower. Follow Owen, four other people have parachuted off the Twin Towers between 1980 and 1999.

May 26, 1977: Toymaker and mountain climber George Willig scaled the entirety of the South Tower’s facade. The act was so impressive that he earned the nickname “the human fly.”

Looking Back at the World’s Tallest TV Station

The story behind the World Trade Center antenna photo is amazing. Not only was the guy that took it dangling almost 2,000 feet in the air, but he also had to do it a dozen times to get the shot he finally wanted. Not only that, but the photographer was well known for taking great shots of places most people would never dream of going. 

Because of how good his work was, Peter Kaplan’s photos have been preserved in places like the Smithsonian, New York Museum of Modern Art, as well as postage stamps in 13 different countries. 

The post The World’s Tallest TV Station first appeared on History In Memes.

Thanksgiving Day staples include home cooked meals, the food coma that seemingly follows, awkward, forced conversations with relatives and of course – the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Whether you’re a kid or a grown adult, sipping on apple juice or wine, nothing is more entertaining and festive to watch than the parade. The enormous blow-up balloons, our favorite characters, the dance numbers, and decorated floats make the perfect lineup to watch while you avoid helping prep dinner.

The parade has become synonymous with Thanksgiving. Its origins date back to 1924 and this year is its 96th year of operations.

On this Thanksgiving, let’s take a look back at some archival, stand-out moments that shaped the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade:

The 1940s

Superman soared over the metropolis of New York City on Nov. 20, 1940, during Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. More than 1 million spectators crowded the sidewalks to greet the big guy.

The 1950s

Superhero mouse character, Mighty Mouse, made his Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade debut in 1951.

The French fairytale and English nursery rhyme figure, Mother Goose, on top of a float in her 1958 debut.

The 1960s

B-Roll footage of the various floats, balloons, performers, and attendees at the 1964 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade.

Sponsored by Walt Disney Animation Studios, The Jolly Polly Pirate Ship float, under the name “Captain Hook’s Pirate Ship,” debuted in 1969. In 1978, the Disney branding was stripped from the float and it appeared as a standard pirate ship float.

The 1970s

Children watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade in 1972.

The 63-foot Underdog balloon follows a turkey float down Broadway in Manhattan during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade in 1979.

The Snoopy balloon during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade in 1970.

Diana Ross stands atop the Daily News’ Big Apple float during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade in 1979.

The 1980s

During the 1987 parade, a Marvel Comics themed float debuted alongside the Spider Man balloon. The float included some of the most well-known Marvel heroes. It made two more appearances in the Thanksgiving Day Parade before it was retired after 1989.

Also in 1987, Dirty Dancing actor, Patrick Swayze, rode his own horse named “Shocker” in the parade. 

The 1990s

Take a look at the character balloons that were flown in the parade in 1990, from Clifford the Big Red Dog, to Big Bird, to Pink Panther and more!

Not everything was smooth sailing! Watch as the Cat in the Hat balloon gets caught in a lamp post due to strong winds and injures four people in 1997.

The 2000s

After winning American Idol in 2005, Carrie Underwood performed during the Thanksgiving Day Parade. Singing “Some Hearts” from her holiday album on the “Holiday Lovin’ Oven” float alongside the Pillsbury Doughboy.

The 2010s

Take an exclusive, behind the scenes look at the production side of putting together the 2018 Thanksgiving Day Parade.

The 2020s

Thanks to streaming services, you can rewatch previous years’ parades to get you into that holiday spirit. 2021 was a year of the Parade’s landmark celebration of its 95th year. Watch the full 2021 Thanksgiving Parade!

The post Historic Photos from Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade first appeared on History In Memes.