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The Eiffel TowerThe Eiffel Tower Paris, FranceParis, France

History

April 1888April 1888July 1888July 1888December 1888December 1888May 1889May 1889

• The Eiffel Tower was built in 1889.The Eiffel Tower was built in 1889.• The tower was built by Gustave Eiffel.The tower was built by Gustave Eiffel.• It was built to celebrate the 100It was built to celebrate the 100thth

anniversary of the French Revolution.anniversary of the French Revolution.• It was the world’s tallest building until It was the world’s tallest building until

1930.1930.• It was considered an eyesore while It was considered an eyesore while

first being built. first being built.• In 1909, it was almost torn down, In 1909, it was almost torn down,

but was kept because of the but was kept because of the radio antenna at the top.radio antenna at the top.

Interesting Facts• 1000 feet tall (75 stories)1000 feet tall (75 stories)• 300 steel workers, and 2 years 300 steel workers, and 2 years

(1887-1889) to construct (1887-1889) to construct • 15,000 iron pieces 15,000 iron pieces • 2.5 million rivets2.5 million rivets• 40 tons of paint40 tons of paint• 1671 steps to the top1671 steps to the top• Total weight: 9441 tons Total weight: 9441 tons • Total number of annual Total number of annual

visitors: 6,157,042 visitors: 6,157,042

Bizarre Events…• In 1923, the journalist Pierre Labric rode In 1923, the journalist Pierre Labric rode

a bicycle down from the first level. a bicycle down from the first level. • In 1925, the con artist Victor Lustig In 1925, the con artist Victor Lustig

twice "sold" the tower for scrap. twice "sold" the tower for scrap. • From 1925 to 1934, illuminated signs for From 1925 to 1934, illuminated signs for

Citroën adorned three of the tower's four Citroën adorned three of the tower's four sides, making it the tallest billboard.sides, making it the tallest billboard.

• During World War II, the Germans hung a During World War II, the Germans hung a sign on it that read: “Germany is sign on it that read: “Germany is victorious on all fronts". victorious on all fronts".

• The Eiffel Tower was scaled by a The Eiffel Tower was scaled by a mountaineer in 1954.mountaineer in 1954.

• Two Englishmen parachuted off it in Two Englishmen parachuted off it in 1984. 1984.

Photographs

Photographs

Photographs

Photographs

Photographs

Photographs

Photographs

Video