The World Trade Center was originally a proposal of Chase Manhattan Bank chairman David Rockefeller to spruce up “radio row,” the seedy stretch of electronics stores in lower Manhattan. Rockefeller exceeded even his own expectations, building not only a iconic set of skyscraper office buildings but a symbol of America’s presence on the world stage. That symbolism was not lost on terrorists, either, who targeted the buildings once in 1993, and managed to bring them down in 2001. Although the buildings were destroyed, the spirit they symbolized vowed to restore them.

On this day, July 4, in 2004, on America’s Independence day, New York Governor George Pataki and other high-profile business and political leaders laid down the cornerstone of the Freedom Tower, on site of the remains of 1 WTC.

Governor Pataki said in a speech, “Today we take 20 tons of Adirondack granite — the bedrock of our state — and place it as the foundation, the bedrock of a new symbol of American strength and confidence. Today, we lay the cornerstone for a new symbol of this city and this country and of our resolve in the face of terror.”