The Empire State Building Turned 80: See Al Smith & FDR at the 1931 Ribbon Cutting

May 1st marked another anniversary in US history, the 80th year since the Empire State Building was completed.

Constructed at the start of the Great Depression, the iconic 102 story building was erected under the supervision of former Governor Al Smith, who had became president of Empire State Inc. after his failed White House bid against Herbert Hoover in 1928. The working-class former Governor, who had pulled himself up from his bootstraps, was bitter in defeat and was equally perturbed that Franklin Roosevelt, a blue blooded aristocrat, had squeaked by to become his successor as Governor of New York.

Al Smith appeared to temporarily bury the hatchet when they both attended the the ribbon cutting ceremony in 1931. There was an amusing moment when a member of the press shouted "Governor". To which Smith replied, "Yes? Which one?" See it below: