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25.05.

1968: The World’s Tallest Arch

1968: The World’s Tallest Arch
Photo Credit To https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a1/St._Louis_Arch_Brightly_Reflecting_Sunlight_2-2.JPG

On this day in 1968, the Gateway Arch was dedicated in the U.S. city of St. Louis. It is the world’s tallest arch. The Gateway Arch is 192 meters tall, which means that the largest European cathedrals could be built under it. The arch is as wide as it is tall – 192 meters.



The Gateway Arch symbolizes the door to the American West. 142 stainless steel elements were used for the arch’s construction. Both legs were built up simultaneously, and then connected. When the final piece was being put in the Gateway Arch, U.S. Vice President Hubert Humphrey was present as an observer (from a helicopter).

The Gateway Arch looks like an equilateral triangle (its cross section). It is hollow inside, and tourists can move through it. Viewing platforms were also built. The structure weighs 42,878 short tons, of which concrete comprises 25,980 short tons.

Tourists can take a tram ride to the top of the Gateway Arch. The seats are similar to those in a circus, which always remain in the same position. More than 4,000,000 people visit the arch every year, and approximately one million take a ride to its top.

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