The Empire State Building turns 75

The Empire State Building, New York City's (again) tallest building, turns 75 this week. The Times devotes a special section to the anniversary here.

I suppose everyone has their own favorite impression of the tower; mine is how, after the floodlights go off after midnight, the lights right below the mast stay on all night, casting a watchful, even caring, gaze over the restless City below; a lighthouse floating a thousand feet above the streets.