World Trade Center towers and their impact on New York City

The Twin Towers of the World Trade Center served as iconic symbols of the New York City skyline from their construction in the early 1970s until their destruction during the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The towers, standing at approximately 1,368 and 1,362 feet, were central to the city's visual identity and pop culture, appearing frequently in films and media.

Due to the proximity of major airports such as JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark, commercial and private aircraft regularly flew near the complex. During the design phase in the mid-1960s, engineers including Leslie Robertson designed the structures to withstand the impact of a Boeing 707. Following the attacks, which resulted in 2,977 deaths, airspace regulations over Manhattan were permanently altered to restrict low-altitude civilian flights.