Empire State Building is still hiding the colors it will use to celebrate its anniversary

New York - The famous New York skyscraper Empire State Building is known for its lighting changes, which in various color combinations commemorate all sorts of anniversaries and events. However, what colors the Manhattan landmark will use to celebrate its 80th anniversary on Sunday remains a secret to its owners. For two weeks, they have been seeking inspiration on a page dedicated to what is arguably the most iconic New York building on the social network Facebook. A combinations of any three colors are available - blue, red, green, yellow, white, orange, pink, and purple.
According to some fans, there isn't much to debate about regarding the Empire State Building. The building is said to be an American icon and should be adorned for its anniversary in the colors of the flag of the United States - red, white, and blue. “If New York and America ever needed a symbol of strength, it is now, and there is no better pillar of strength,” believes Raymond Pesce.
Others perceive the building more as a symbol of New York and suggest the color of the state where the big city is located - blue. According to Cynthia Hartley, the Empire State Building should be pink, green, and purple on its birthday. “Pink is the color of universal love, green symbolizes nature, fertility, and life, purple is the color of good judgment,” she stated.
Whose opinion will ultimately prevail will be clear by Saturday evening at the latest. And in a few days, hardly anyone will remember it. The Empire State Building is, after all, a bit of a chameleon. The lighting color combinations change almost constantly for various occasions from the basic white light. On the building's website, there is an application for various clubs or organizations to request that the building commemorate their event or anniversary. Next month, for example, on May 5, red lighting will commemorate the 120th anniversary of the opening of Carnegie Hall. Tonight, the combination of blue, white, and red will remotely congratulate British Prince William and his bride Kate on their wedding.
The building management has one fundamental exception when processing requests. Although the building is regularly illuminated for various holidays, such as Easter or Ramadan, it refuses to honor religious figures or comply with the wishes of religious organizations. Last year, the Catholic League suffered from this, as they wanted to honor Mother Teresa posthumously. The building management rejected the request and was not softened by the fact that in the past it had violated its own rule and lit the skyscraper in honor of Pope John Paul II.
This decision sparked a wave of criticism. It came a few months after the management illuminated the building in the colors of the Chinese flag, red and yellow, to commemorate the 60th anniversary of communist China. "It is disgraceful that the Empire State Building pays this tribute to the Chinese Communist Party, a regime directly responsible for the death of at least 30 million people in Tibet, East Turkestan, and China," commented Tibetan-American Tenzin Dorjee at the time.
However, this weekend, the missteps of the past are likely to be forgiven. The 102-story skyscraper on the corner of Fifth Avenue and 34th Street will celebrate its 80th anniversary since its official opening on May 1, and usually unpleasant matters are left outside the door during celebrations. The Empire State Building is simply one, despite any shortcomings of its owners.