New Yorks 'Freedom Tower'

[Pippa68]

Is apparently going to be erected in memory of those who lost their lives on September 11th 2001.

It has been decided that the tower will be 1,766 feet high as that was the day America gained independence from Britain.

Does anyone wonder what that has to do with 9/11, and could it be interpreted as a 'slap in the face' considering USA & Britain have been 'united' in this tragedy?

http://www.designbuild-network.com/projects/fr eedom-tower-ny/

[jake-the-peg]

I think 200 years ought to be long enough for us to get over the war of independance don't you?

PS should that be 1776 feet?

[Gromit]

Is that a misprint, always thought they got independence in 1776. Not a slap in the face. It is the date of the birth of their nation and diplomatic relations have resumed with them since then.

[LazyGun]

Lets see.... its an iconic building because of its design, and the fact that it will be the tallest tower in the world (which is what WTC1 was back in 1972) when completed, by 400 ft or more. It will help to revitalise the lower manhattan area, which the buildings it is going to replace were originally designed for.
1776 was also the signing of the Declaration of Independence, an iconic document in itself, and the touchstone of american identity. Since the WTC itself became a symbol for americas place in the world, hence the attack on 9/11 and indeed the attempted bombing in Feb 1993, anything that replaces it will need a similar stature.
I think the only reason to feel offended is if you have the "I am easily offended" gene, or an overdeveloped sense of national insecurity.

[vehelpfulguy]

If and when it is built I think they may have a difficult job getting people to work in there.

It will be a magnet for terrorists, and if it is even higher than twin towers the chances of getting out in the event of an attack (or even a fire) are very slim.

[Pippa68]

Yes sorry ~ a whopper of a typo on my part!

I have no problem with the Independence stance at all...yes, it should be celebrated. I am not sure the former WTC site is the best place to make the point that's all.

Sorry I spoke ;o)

[Booldawg]

<scottish voice> bloody americans always going on about how they got independance from Britain, its been over 200 years ago and they still go on about it, just like the English in '66 </scottish voice>

[45703]

I don�t see it as a slap in the face; I think American independence was the best thing that could have happened. Can you imagine what the alternative could have been a country stifled by British control instead of a dynamic inventive nation and the possibility of no Elvis! We should all celebrate July 4th (and 66 lol)

[Pippa68]

I'm not talking about American independence..that isn't the issue and (I refer to the first reply) it appears the Americans like to bang on about it far more than the Brits do (and rightly so).

However, my point was kind of lost in typos and the subject of independence.

I wonder why the Freedom Tower seems to be based more on the independence factor rather than the 9/11 one. Surely if it is actually a memorial to the victims, American independence from the Brits shouldn't come into it...after all Brits died on 9/11 as well ~ and we are still helping the Americans fight a war.

[jno]

independent countries often rate the days and years of independence as being unusually significant, and all schoolchildren learn them. Curiously, the only dates the British know (allegedly) are 55BC and 1066, when they were successfully invaded. It's hard to think of a genuinely important date in British history - I suppose 1215 and Magna Carta might be one (strictly only English history, of course). Anyway, 1776 is an iconic number for Americans; we may not really grasp its importance because we don't have an equivalent.

[LazyGun]

You still seem hung up on this supposed "anti-britishness" pippa.

The Declaration of Independence is the founding document of the US, a symbol and an icon to americans of their country and all the freedoms it represents. What better Icon to incorporate as both a memorial for 9/11 and a declaration to the world that it is business as usual and america is still top dog etcetcetc? The memorial factor remains the primary motivating factor... thats precisely why they are intent on raising a building to replace in spirit exactly what the Twin Towers themselves were.

[Pippa68]

I am not hung up at all, LazyGun.

Actually I am most surprised at myself as this sort of thing doesn't usually bother me!

My point may well have been lost..however I am not into the idea of AB being here to agree with me. Yes, it would have been nice if some had the same way of thinking as me but I am not begging for it...that doesn't bother me at all.

The Freedom Tower and the idea behind it makes me feel uncomfortable ~ but each to their own :o)

[naz_nomad]

Lazygun .. the CN Tower in Toronto is 1815.5 feet high ..so the new one wouldn't be the highest ...

[LazyGun]

naz, they appear to fall into different categories... the CN tower is the worlds highest structure, but the current highest building seems to be either the sears tower or the petronas tower...
wikipaedia link here....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World's_tallest_s tructures

[sophieb]

What happened in 55BC?

[45703]

Julius Caesar invaded south east Britain 55BC

[sophieb]

Thank you!

[makemesmile]

Actually Pippa68, I agree with you. It does offend me a little. And if that makes me a moaner, then so be it. I'm as entitled to my opinion as everyone else. Surely they could have come up with some other figure/fact, all things considered.
But as usual, as long as America is happy, stuff everyone else. A policy that contributed to the tragedy in the first place.

[naz_nomad]

errr ...YOU said tower

[NH]

Caesar's invasions weren't successful folks. The Romans actually nailed us in 43AD.

[LazyGun]

Naz.... you are right, I did say tower... but I don't make the consensus rules for judging whether something falls into the category of structure or building etc. The builders of the Freedom Tower want to have the Worlds Tallest Building and by their rules, a tower of 1776 feet would comfortably win that accolade.

It most documentaries or whatever that i have seen on this subject recently, the CN tower seems rarely if ever to be mentioned.. its always the Sears, WTC1 when it was there, Petronas and more recently Taipei 101. Why the CN tower is judged to be in a different category is beyond me.

By their rules, this Freedom Tower will be the Worlds Tallest Building.