Images that represent 'America' to me.

The Empire State Building. 

The Empire State Building, is and will continue to be, for many years an iconic symbol that represents the United States of America. Constructed during the years of 1929-31 and opened on May 1st 1931 by President Hoover the Empire State Building has remained an unmistakable feature amongst the Manhattan skyline. It cannot be questioned that the Empire State Building is one of America's main tourist hotspots with over 10,000 people visiting it each day, and its inclusion as one of the '7 Wonders of the World' only demonstrates its significance. The Empire State Building has not avoided the fame in which it arguably deserves, featuring in well known blockbusters such as 'King Kong' and more recently 'Independance Day.' However it also has been witness to disasters; 1945, a plane crashed into the 79th and 80th floors of the building killing 14 people, and 24th February 1997 where a gunman shot dead seven people on the buildings observation deck. Despite these negatives, the Empire State Building is seen by many as a national treasure and one to be proud of; the Empire State Building is a positive symbol of America, and a positive symbol that is recognised world wide.


The Twin Towers



 

3 words that mean so much to so many, unfortunately it is negative emotions that are felt when these words are heard. America and the Twin Towers were subject to the worst terrorist attack in history, an attack witnessed by billions. Based in the center of New York, the Twin Towers were the hub for all America's financial business, where thousands of people worked and were prominent features of New York; however the attack on September 11th 2001 changed this and meant that from that day onwards the towers would be forever associated with victims of terrorism. Both towers were completed in the years of 1970/71 and therefore stood as the prominent buildings amongst the 'World Trade Center Complex.' The Twin Towers were subject to numerous attacks other than those on 9/11, most famously the 1993 bombings, in which a truck filled with explosives was detonated underneath the North Tower, killing six and causing substantial damage to the Tower itself. However it is the attacks of 2001 that are imbedded into the minds of all of us. The Twin Towers represented financial stability and wealth, however this image has now changed. The Towers now represent terrorism, the day that thousands died, the worst attack the world has ever seen. However, it could also be argued that the Towers mark the day America and its allies challenged terrorism head on, as George Bush said in his speech "Our nation, this generation, will lift the dark threat of violence from our people and our future. We will rally the world to this cause by our efforts, by our courage. We will not tire, we will not falter, and we will not fail."  9/11 is a date that is known across the world and through generations and date that will never be forgotten.

Adam Mussell