What to Know
- The spire of One WTC was lit in the colors of the French flag Tuesday night in solidarity after Notre Dame Cathedral burned
- Gov. Cuomo said it would be a tribute to the fire-ravaged cathedral, "one of the world's most sacred and celebrated religious monuments"
- The flags of France and the U.S. contain the same colors, but different patterns; the French flag has a white center flanked by blue and red
A day ago, millions worldwide watched in horror as a catastrophic fire erupted at the famed Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, collapsing its iconic spire within minutes and spewing smoke over the capital city.
Much of the centuries-old cathedral was heavily damaged. New York's Cardinal Timothy Dolan helped lead the initial Big Apple charge for solidarity — and Gov. Cuomo is continuing that Tuesday as the globe grapples with the realization that one of the most iconic cathedrals in the world may never be the same.
Cuomo directed that the spire of One World Trade Center be lighted in the colors of the French flag Tuesday night, a sign New York stands with French citizens and the Catholic global community.
The flags of France and the United States have the same colors, but different patterns. The French flag has a white center flanked with blue and red.
"Our hearts ached as we watched a devastating fire ravage one of the world's most sacred and celebrated religious monuments," Cuomo said in a statement.
"The Notre Dame Cathedral's centuries of history, art and iconic architecture are irreplaceable, and we are deeply grateful to the brave first responders who worked diligently to extinguish the flames and save portions of this significant piece of French and Catholic history.”
New Yorkers sent their condolences Monday, including the FDNY who tweeted, "Images of Notre Dame in flames are an awful sight to behold. The thoughts of the FDNY are with the members of @PompiersParis as they bravely battle this terrible fire in one of the world’s most beautiful and historic houses of worship."
Local
French president Emmanuel Macron vowed to rebuild the historic site while the fire still burned, and a large number of companies have come forward with donations reaching $677 million dollars and counting, according to BBC News.
