A crane has hoisted a U.S. flag covered spire to the top of New York's One World Trade Center, under construction at the site of the Sept. 11 attacks.

Construction workers watch as the 408-foot spire is hoisted onto a temporary platform on the top of One World Trade Center
Construction workers watch as the 408-foot spire is hoisted onto a temporary platform on the top of One World Trade Center (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
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Construction workers applauded as the upright spire began heading skyward at midday Thursday on its way to the roof.

The spire's temporary home will be a platform at the top of the trade center. When it's fully installed, at a later date, it will soar to a symbolic 1,776 feet.

The 408-foot spire will be used as a world-class broadcast antenna.

The new tower is at the northwest corner of the trade center site. The area is well on its way to reconstruction with the 72-story Four World Trade Center and other buildings.

(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved)

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