The “Artistic Crime of the Century”

Twin Towers-Wikipedia

America has benefited by some of the most creative and innovative engineers, scientists, and builders on the planet, conceiving modern marvels such as the Golden Gate Bridge, Hoover Dam, Mt. Rushmore, bridges, tunnels, transcontinental railroads, skyscrapers, and, of course, the World Trade Center. It was in 1974 when 24 year old Frenchman Philippe Petit made it his “le coup” to illegally walk on a high wire across the top of the twin towers a total of eight times, the “artistic crime of the century.”

Then the tallest structures in the world, the twin towers stood at just over 1,360′. According to Wikipedia, it was among a complex of seven buildings. The twin towers opened in 1973 and were known as 1WTC and 2WTC.

 Petit walked at the 1,350 ft. level at the 110th storey. There was a 200′ gap between

Philippe Petit: Credit AP

the buildings. The feat is celebrated in a film released in 2015 called “The Walk,”  and there is no way to appreciate just how high that really is until you see the picture of the walk with Lower Manhattan buildings well below. Better known is the terrorist destruction of the twin towers on two-eleven.

It was an American icon; a rallying point. It would be nice to celebrate that deep pride; the fierce American spirit year round again–not just July 4th. Happy 4th! ©2016 Virginia Williams Resource Box