In what year was the Eiffel Tower completed?

The Eiffel Tower was completed in 1889.

Construction began in January 1887 for the Exposition Universelle, the world’s fair held in Paris to mark the centenary of the French Revolution. Gustave Eiffel’s company assembled the tower’s iron components with remarkable speed and precision. The main structural work was finished at the end of March 1889, and Eiffel led officials and journalists to the summit on 31 March.

The tower was not immediately fully ready for visitors: its lifts still needed work, and the public opening followed in May 1889. This sometimes causes confusion between the completion date, the ceremonial ascent, and the public opening date. All belong to 1889, but 31 March marks completion of the main structure.

At 300 metres, the tower became the tallest human-made structure in the world, surpassing the Washington Monument. It held that distinction until New York’s Chrysler Building was completed in 1930.