“World trade center” pavilion is dedicated to “world peace through trade.”

Downtown Lower Manhattan Association is created by real estate developer David Rockefeller to promote the revitalization the downtown NYC area, considers the idea of a “world trade and finance center.”

David Rockefeller publicly presents a plan for a world trade center along the East River of Manhattan on January 25. Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (then Port of New York Authority) is commissioned to study the plan.  

On March 10, Port Authority issues a favorable report on the feasibility of developing a world trade center.

February 1962

Bills pass by New Jersey and New York to authorize the development of the World Trade Center.

July 1962

“Coffin protest” parades body of “Mr. Small Business Man”

November 1963

The Port Authority wins round of legal challenges to the development of the WTC. 

The Port Authority unveils an architectural plan for the WTC featuring the world’s tallest buildings.

March 1966

Construction begins on March 21 at the WTC site with the demolition of 78 Dey Street.

August 1966

Excavation work begins for the WTC. First use of “slurry wall” method in US Foundation work.

June 1967

New York City Board of Estimates formally approves the WTC legislation.

October 1970

The North Tower of the WTC exceeds the height of Empire State Building, making it the tallest building in the world. 

December 1970

First tenants move into North Tower of the WTC on December 15. 

The North Tower of the WTC is topped off at 1368 feet on December 23.

July 1971

The South Tower of the WTC is topped off at 1,362 feet on July 19.

The first tenant move into Two World Trade Center (South Tower).

The first tenant move into Five World Trade Center (Northeast Plaza Building).

The World Trade Center is dedicated on April 4.

U.S. Customs Service moved into Six World Trade Center.

April 1974

Tightrope artist Phillippe Petit performs an unauthorized walk between the Twin Towers on April 7. 

Owen J. Quinn performs unauthorized parachute jump from the North Tower of the WTC on July 22.  First of five people to parachute from the WTC.

Top of the World Observation Deck opens, Two World Trade Center (South Tower).

The Windows of the World Restaurant opens at the top of the North Tower on April 19.

The first tenant moves into Four World Trade Center (The Commodities Exchange Center).

Amateur climber George Willig, a/k/a the “human fly,” performs an unauthorized climb up the side of the South Tower with self-designed equipment on May 27.

The 360-foot antenna mast atop One World Trade Center is completed.

Seven World Trade Center opens.

The World Trade Center is attacked for the first time by Islamist terrorists on February 26 at 12:18 PM. Terrorists detonate 1,500 pounds of explosives in a van parked in the underground public parking lot of the WTC, two levels below the southern wall of the North Tower. The attack kills six people, including a pregnant woman, injures more than a thousand, creates a five-story crater beneath the towers, and results in hundreds of millions of dollars in damage.

The WTC reopens for business on March 19, led by tenant New York Governor Mario Cuomo and his staff.  WTC recovery lasts more than a year. The Port Authority implements a $250 million upgrade plan focusing on life safety and security.   

The WTC is designated one of the “Seven Wonders of the Modern World” by the American Society of Civil Engineers. The WTC is visited by every US president between the time of its opening and the time of its destruction at least once, as well as by many dignitaries and heads of state.

A memorial fountain is dedicated in the WTC plaza to the victims of the 1993 bombing. 

The Vista International Hotel (operated by Hilton International, Inc.) is sold to Host Marriott Corp. and renamed the New York Marriott World Trade Center Hotel.

Windows on the World restaurant reopens after renovations.

Top of the World Observation Deck at Two World Trade Center reopens after renovations.

On September 24, the Port Authority announces plans to seek a 99-year net lease of the complex.

After a rebirth following the 1993 bombing, the WTC reaches its highest occupancy rate. 

The WTC is net-leased on July 24 to private developer Silverstein Properties, Inc. for approximately $3.2 billion. A three-to-six month transition period commences. 

Last survivor is rescued from the WTC site at approximately on 12:30 pm.

National Day of Prayer and Remembrance; President Bush visits Ground Zero

New York Stock Exchange reopens.

Prayer for America service takes place at Yankee Stadium.

Robin Relief Fund holds a concert for first responders at Madison Square Garden.

An interfaith ceremony is held at the WTC site.

Six-month anniversary of the September 11 attacks is marked with beams of light.

The WTC recovery ends with a public Last Column Ceremony.

The bipartisan 9-11 Commission is created to study the events leading up to the September 11 attacks and provide recommendations on emergency preparedness and response reform; the 9-11 Commission issues a report on July 22, 2004. 

A study by the Center for Disease Control reports that the majority of 9-11 survivors continue to suffer from psychological trauma.  A May 2006 study prepared for the American Red Cross reports that the majority of people who received therapy after the attacks are still suffering.  

The newly-constructed 7 World Trade Center opens on May 23, the first building to be rebuilt in Lower Manhattan after the September 11 attacks.

A program to restore Port Authority Trans-Hudson (PATH) rapid-transit rail service disrupted by the September 11 terrorist attacks is approved. Planning is also authorized for a permanent World Trade Center PATH Terminal and redevelopment of The World Trade Center site.

Work begins at Exchange Place Station in Jersey City, to repair damage and enable restoration of PATH service to the Jersey City waterfront. The Port Authority begins outlining concepts for a downtown transportation hub linking PATH, subway lines, ferry service and areas adjoining the WTC site.

Following completion of emergency activities, responsibility and control of The World Trade Center site is transferred from New York City to the Port Authority. The Port Authority begins work on the temporary World Trade Center PATH station.

New York Governor George E. Pataki and New Jersey Governor James E. McGreevey dedicate a World Trade Center site viewing fence with heroes’ names and other information panels. The first steel column is erected at the WTC site for the temporary PATH station.

A groundbreaking ceremony is held for 7 WTC and the Con Ed substation.

The Port Authority and the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation (LMDC) announce the selection of Memory  Foundations by Studio Daniel Libeskind as the design concept for The World Trade Center site.

PATH service resumes at the Exchange Place Station in Jersey City, NJ on June 29, restoring a critical link in trans-Hudson PATH service, creating greater access to expanded ferry service to Lower Manhattan.

The LMDC begins the public environmental review process for the WTC Memorial Redevelopment Plan. The Port Authority announces the selection of Downtown Design Partnership and the internationally renowned architect Santiago Calatrava to perform preliminary engineering and architectural services for the design and construction of The World Trade Center Transportation Hub.

A refined WTC Site Master Plan is presented.

The Port Authority conducts public meetings for environmental review of The World Trade Center Transportation Hub.

The temporary WTC PATH Station opens on November 23, ahead of schedule, reconnecting lower Manhattan and New Jersey.

Design concept for The World Trade Center site’s 1,776-foot Freedom Tower is unveiled on December 19.

Architects Michael Arad and Peter Walker present the winning design concept for The World Trade Center Memorial. Santiago Calatrava presents design concepts for The World Trade Center Transportation Hub.

Ground breaking for the Freedom Tower takes place.

Final design of the WTC Memorial and museum is unveiled.

Design is unveiled for The World Trade Center Cultural Center by Snøhetta.

A revised design for the Freedom Tower is released with unprecedented life safety and security features.

The Port Authority Board of Commissioners authorizes the $2.221 billion World Trade Center Transportation Hub project. Architect Santiago Calatrava presents his refined design.

The Federal Transit Administration and the Port Authority announce $699 million of additional federal funding for WTC infrastructure work, and $478 million for a new World Trade Center Vehicle Security Center project.

Construction begins on  The World Trade Center Transportation Hub on September 6.

Preliminary construction work begins on The World Trade Center Memorial on March 13.

The Port Authority Board of Commissioners approves the framework proposal for a new lease agreement with World Trade Center developer Larry Silverstein on April 27. Under the framework proposal, Silverstein Properties continues to build Towers 2, 3 and 4. Silverstein Properties surrenders its lease rights for the Freedom Tower and Tower 5 to the Port Authority.

Construction officially begins on the Freedom Tower on April 28.

Seven World Trade Center opens on May 23.

The Port Authority assumes responsibility for construction of The World Trade Center Memorial.

Preliminary work begins on east/west concourse for World Trade Center Transportation Hub. Construction of The World Trade Center Memorial resumes.

The Port Authority finalizes agreements on September 21, giving The Port Authority control of construction of the Freedom Tower and Tower 5. Architectural designs for Towers 2, 3, and 4 are unveiled.

On June 21, the Board of Commissioners authorizes the Port Authority to enter into a long-term sub-net lease with JPMorgan Chase & Co. to develop Tower 5 as a 1.3 million-square-foot skyscraper at The World Trade Center site.

Memorial Museum opens. World Trade Center Transportation Hub is completed. Towers 3 and 4 are completed.