On this day all the way back in 1961 groundbreaking ceremonies were held for the soon to be built Space Needle. The Space Needle’s primary investors ( Bagley Wright, Ned Skinner, Norton Clapp, architect John Graham, and main contractor Howard S. Wright) had just one year and four days to construct the 605 feet tall Space Needle in time for the opening of the Seattle Century 21 World’s Fair.

Whether it’s true or not, I’ve heard more than once that native New Yorkers don’t visit the Statue of Liberty and that Parisians don’t bother with the Eiffel Tower, but I don’t know anyone from Seattle who has never been to the Space Needle. If you happen to be one of those people then unless you have a serious fear of heights, you should go at least once. On a clear day, the impressive view helps remind you that we really do live in one of the most beautiful locales on earth.

The Space Needle was rightfully designated a historic landmark on April 19, 1999.