There have also been special occasions where the lights are modified from the usual schedule . After the eightieth birthday , and subsequent death , of Frank Sinatra in 1998 , for example , the building was bathed in blue light to represent the singer 's nickname " Ol' Blue Eyes " . After actress Fay Wray , who starred in '' King Kong '' , died in September 2004 , the building lights were extinguished for 15 minutes . The floodlights bathed the building in red , white , and blue for several months after the destruction of the World Trade Center in September 2001 , then reverted to the standard schedule . On June 4 , 2002 , the Empire State Building donned purple and gold ( the royal colors of Elizabeth II ) , in thanks for the United Kingdom playing the Star Spangled Banner during the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace on September 12 , 2001 ( a show of support after the September 11 attacks ) . On January 13 , 2012 , the building was lit in red , orange , and yellow to honor the 60th anniversary of NBC program '' The Today Show '' . From June 1 to 3 , 2012 , the building was lit in blue and white , the colors of the Israeli flag , in honor of the 49th annual Celebrate Israel Parade
September 11 attacks
September 11 attacks
Empire State Building