Empire State Building observatory reopens

NEW YORK (CNN) -- The 86th floor observatory of the Empire State Building, New York's tallest skyscraper after two hijacked airliners destroyed the World Trade Center's twin towers, reopened Saturday to the public for the first time in nearly three weeks.

Completed in 1930, more than 40 years before the trade center, the Empire State Building closed immediately after two hijacked commercial jets slammed into the twin towers on September 11. The building's tenants were later allowed to enter the building, but observatory access had been prohibited until this weekend.

Perhaps the most recognizable building in New York, the Empire State Building has seen its own share of tragedy. In 1945, a B-25 bomber got lost in the fog and slammed into the structure's 79th floor.

Officials said the observatory would be open this Saturday, Sunday and the entire Columbus Day weekend -- October 6, 7 and 8 -- but would be closed during the week until further notice.

The Empire State Building has 102 stories, compared with the 110 stories of the ruined World Trade Center's north and south towers.