<P> New York is widely known by the nickname "Empire State", and its effects can be seen throughout the state . Manhattan's Empire State Building opened in 1931 and was the world's tallest building until the completion of the north tower of the World Trade Center in 1970 . Following the September 11 attacks, the Empire State Building once again became the tallest building in Manhattan until One World Trade Center claimed the title in April 2012 . The main offices of state government are located at the Empire State Plaza (ESP) in Albany, the state capital . Its most iconic structure is the Erastus Corning Tower, the tallest building in New York outside of New York City . </P> <P> The nickname has also been used for train routes . The Empire State Express of the New York Central Railroad was established in 1891, and Amtrak currently offers its Empire Service from New York City to Buffalo via Albany . SUNY Empire State College was established in 1971 in Saratoga Springs and makes use of the name . The Empire State Games were established in 1978 as an Olympic - style competition for amateur athletes from New York . Additionally, the term "Empire State" has been included on New York State license plates since 2001 . In 2009, Jay - Z and Alicia Keys released the 5x - platinum single "Empire State of Mind ." </P>

Where did the name empire state come from