A Secret Plan in the Making
On the morning of August 7, 1974, French high-wire artist Philippe Petit executed an illegal and daring walk between the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center. For years, Petit had been obsessed with the idea after reading about the towers’ construction in a magazine. He gathered a team, planned meticulously, and smuggled equipment to the top of the towers.
Setting the Stage
The night before the walk, Petit and his crew disguised themselves as construction workers and snuck into the buildings. They shot a cable across the 140-foot gap between the towers, 1,350 feet above the ground. After securing the wire, Petit prepared for his breathtaking performance.
The Walk
At 7:15 a.m., Petit stepped onto the wire without a safety net or harness. Over the course of 45 minutes, he made eight crossings between the towers, lying down, kneeling, and even saluting the crowd below. The performance captivated New Yorkers as police gathered to arrest him once he finished.
Arrest and Aftermath
When Petit finally stepped off the wire, he was arrested. However, the charges were dropped in exchange for a public performance in Central Park, cementing his high-wire act as a historic feat.
Philippe Petit’s Daring Walk Between the Twin Towers
A Secret Plan in the Making
On the morning of August 7, 1974, French high-wire artist Philippe Petit executed an illegal and daring walk between the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center. For years, Petit had been obsessed… pic.twitter.com/xCwwwA0myM— Detective Tiger's Stories (@TBBOB2) August 23, 2024