The CN Tower, a Canadian icon, celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2025. To mark the milestone, here are 50 fun facts from its history, along with a quiz to test your knowledge. From the fastest climb to the number of hot dogs tall the tower is, these facts cover construction, records, pop culture, and more.
Construction and Early Years
The Canadian National Railway proposed the tower primarily because growing skyscrapers interfered with radio and TV signals. Construction began on February 6, 1973, and the grand opening was on June 26, 1976. A total of 1,500 workers rotated in shifts 24 hours a day, five days a week to complete the structure. The cost to build was $63-million at the time, which would be over $344-million today adjusted for inflation. Then-Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau sealed a time capsule on the main observation level, to be opened in 2076.
Height and Records
The CN Tower held the title of the tallest free-standing structure in the world for 31 years until surpassed by the Burj Khalifa in 2007. It remains the 10th tallest free-standing structure, just ahead of One World Trade Center. It was designated one of the seven wonders of the modern world by the American Society of Civil Engineers. The tower is one of the safest places during an earthquake due to its pre-stressed concrete and steel reinforcements, and it can withstand winds up to 193 km/h and gusts of 320 km/h, equivalent to a Category 3 hurricane.
Observation Decks and Attractions
The observation deck, known as The Top, is the highest viewing platform in the Western Hemisphere. The glass floor, opened in 1994, allows viewers to see 342 metres down and was the first "dare to walk on air" experience in the world. EdgeWalk, opened in 2011, lets participants walk on a five-foot-wide ledge outside the structure, secured with a harness. The 360 Restaurant rotates fully in 72 minutes, and houses the world's highest wine cellar, certified by Guinness World Records, which can store up to 9,000 bottles in climate-controlled conditions.
Lightning Strikes and Lighting
The CN Tower is struck by lightning an average of 75 times per year. Its LED lighting system, installed in 2007, consists of 1,330 lighting panels, each capable of producing 16.7 million different colors. The lights are dimmed during spring and fall migration seasons as part of the Lights Out Program to reduce bird mortality.
Climbing and Stunts
The tower has 2,579 steps, but only 1,776 are open to the public during annual charity events. Brendan Keenoy holds the Guinness World Record for the fastest stair climb at 7 minutes and 52 seconds. Ashrita Furman set a record for the fastest climb on a pogo stick at 57 minutes and 51 seconds. Dan Goodwin was the first to climb the tower without ropes in 1986. Canadian Paralympian Jeff Adams became the first person to climb the stairs in a wheelchair in 2002. Rick Hansen, a renowned disability advocate, completed the EdgeWalk in 2015 using a specially designed wheelchair. Bernice (Bunny) Harrison became the oldest person to complete EdgeWalk at age 98.
Pop Culture and Notable Events
The CN Tower has appeared in numerous films and music videos. Drake's music video for "Headlines" features him riding the glass-fronted elevators, and the cover of his album "Views" shows him sitting atop the tower. The tower appears in Pixar's 2022 film "Turning Red" and in the 2024 film "Deadpool & Wolverine" as part of an apocalyptic landscape called The Void. The 2025 film "Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie" includes a storyline about skydiving off the tower into Rogers Centre. Michael Jackson visited the tower in 1984. Seven members of the British Royal Family have visited, including Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip in 1976, and Princes William and Harry in 1991.
Other Fun Facts
The CN Tower was renamed Canada's National Tower in 1995 after being sold to Canada Lands Company. It has more than 17 radio stations and television networks broadcasting from it. The SkyWalk, an enclosed walkway connecting Union Station to the tower and Rogers Centre, opened in 1989. From 1986 to 1992, the basement housed a space shuttle simulator ride called "Tour of the Universe." A nightclub named Sparkles operated on the main observation deck from 1979 to 1991. The tower's mascot, unveiled in 2017, has no official name. The CN Tower currently holds two active Guinness World Records: the world's highest wine cellar and the world's highest hands-free walk around a building.
Quiz Questions and Answers
Test your knowledge with these 50 questions. For example: What was the main reason for building the tower? (Answer: Interference with radio and TV signals). How many workers built it? (1,500). What year did construction begin? (1973). Who sealed the time capsule? (Pierre Trudeau). What building surpassed it as tallest? (Burj Khalifa). How much did it cost? ($63-million). What was it renamed in 1995? (Canada's National Tower). Is the observation deck the highest in the Western Hemisphere? (Yes). How wide is the EdgeWalk ledge? (Five feet). How far down can you see on the glass floor? (342 metres). Is it safe in an earthquake? (Yes). How many lightning strikes per year? (75). How many loonie dogs tall is it? (4,357). How many steps are open to the public? (1,776). How long for a full rotation in the restaurant? (72 minutes). How many elevators? (11). How fast to the top? (58 seconds). How far can you see on a clear day? (160 km). How many bottles in the wine cellar? (9,000). How many lighting panels? (1,330). How many colors can they produce? (16.7 million). How many broadcasters? (More than 17). What is the walkway called? (SkyWalk). What was the simulator ride called? (Tour of the Universe). Has the tower ever been closed? (Yes, multiple times). Why are lights dimmed? (To reduce bird mortality). How many visitors per year? (Two million). When was the first stair climb? (1978). What was the first church service for? (Easter). How many stunt jumps? (Four). Who first climbed without ropes? (Dan Goodwin). Fastest stair climb time? (7 minutes 52 seconds). Fastest pogo stick climb? (57 minutes 51 seconds). First wheelchair climb? (Jeff Adams). What instrument was played on the roof? (Harps). Who completed EdgeWalk in a wheelchair? (Rick Hansen). Oldest EdgeWalker? (Bernice Harrison, age 98). What was the nightclub called? (Sparkles). Does the mascot have a name? (No). Can it withstand a Category 3 hurricane? (Yes). Which Drake music video features the elevators? (Headlines). Which album cover shows Drake on the tower? (Views). How many royal family members visited? (Seven). Which movie shows the tower toppled? (Deadpool & Wolverine). Which Pixar movie features the tower? (Turning Red). Which comedy movie involves skydiving off the tower? (Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie). Which celebrity visited in 1984? (Michael Jackson). What was flown off the roof in 1988? (Hang gliders). How many active Guinness records? (Two). Is it one of the seven wonders of the modern world? (Yes).
