2. GENERAL HISTORY
In 1524 the New York harbor was discovered by an Italian named Giovanni da
Verranzo. Dutch settlers came to the new found land from Europe and began the
first settlement on the island that was called New Amsterdam. Happening while
under the reign of the first governor, Peter Stuyvestant, the city was taken over by
the English in 1674. After this occurred the city of New Amsterdam was renamed
New York in honor of the Duke of York. By the 18th century there were over
60,000 habitants of the city, and the main industries, milling and ship building, were
just starting to seriously take off. The very first shipyard off of the harbor opened
in 1720. The British were forced to surrender after a series of fires to George
Washington on November 25th 1783.
4. HISTORY CONT’D
By 1898 all five of the famous boroughs, Bronx, Manhattan, Queens,
Brooklyn, and Staten Island were united under one municipal government
and the city had an overall population of 3.4 million. As of the 2011
Census Bureau, the most current population totaled in New York City is
8,244,910. Referred to as the “melting pot” of the world, the city hosts to
many densely populated immigrant neighborhoods. There are as many as
200 different languages spoken in the streets of all the suburbs.
5. FAMOUS ARCHITECTURE
During the early 20th century many famous buildings were built in
New York City, all of them are great historical sites that each have their
own unique story to tell. The Flat Iron Building was built in 1902, the
New York Public Library opened in 1911 and the Woolworth Building
was erected in 1913. In this same year Grand Central Station was opened.
Following 17 years later, the Chrysler building was erected, as well as the
Empire State Building in 1931. Also in 1931 the General Electric Building
was built. Following GEB, the Rockefeller Center was built in 1932
through 1940.
7. THE SUBWAY
One of the easily most momentous days in the history of New York
City begins with the grand opening of the subway. Mayor George B.
McClellan on October 27th, 1904 took the first ride. The track was only 9
miles in total distance and started from the City Hall terminal up the East
Side to Grand Central Terminal, then across 42nd Street to Times Square,
and up Broadway to West 145th Street. The inaugural ride, while not the
first in the world, sparked a great fire in the ways of traveling within the
city for the inhabitants.
9. THINGS TO SEE; MUSEUMS
In 2011, Nearly 50.9 million American Museum of
people visited New York City, Natural History
international and domestic.
the Metropolitan Museum of
Considering all of the jaw
Art
dropping, inspiring attractions, this
number isn’t very surprising. First the Museum of Modern Art
on the list of attractions are some Guggenheim Museum
of the best museums in the world.
11. SITE SEEING
The Statue of Liberty has waited in
New York Harbor since it was built by
French architect, Frédéric Auguste
Bartholdi. The statue began as a gift to
the Americas in September of 1875.
Lady Liberty stands 305 ft tall and is
visible from a majority of Manhattan,
but the greatest view possible is from
the ferry that runs around Liberty
Island.
12. SITE SEEING
During your visit to Manhattan you
can also climb to the very top of the
Empire State Building and see all
directions while 1,454 feet in the air.
Starting construction in 1909 with
William F. Lamb as its architect, the
102 stories were complete in a matter
of 13 months, a record breaking
construction time for a building of
such great height.
13. SITE SEEING
Central Park, being the city lovers
main escape to nature, the park is one
of the most prominent parks in the
country. There are cafes periodically
placed along the paths to sit outside
under a canopy of trees and enjoy a
cup of New York coffee. It’s a great
opportunity to take a break from site
seeing on the Great Lawn of Central
Park, and get a first-hand taste of the
diversity.
14. IN CLOSING
New York has great opportunities, no matter what it is you’re
looking for you’re likely to find it on one of the busy streets. Every
corner you turn down is an adventure waiting to happen. Whether
you’re looking to have a relaxing stay in a grand hotel, or wanting to
ride the wild side of Brooklyn’s music scene, New York City has
something for everyone.
15. WORKS CITED
Lambert, Tim. "A Brief History of New York City." A World History Encyclopedia.
N.p., N/A. Web. 01 Oct 2012. <http://www.localhistories.org/newyork.html>.
Lauren, Dale. "Architecture and You: The Empire State Building." Aesthetic Realism
Looks at New York City. N.p., 2011. Web. 12 Oct 2012.
<http://www.beautyofnyc.org/nyclandmarks.htm>.
Stern, John. "The New York Subway: A Century."Aesthetic Realism Looks at New York
City. N.p., 2008. Web. 12 Oct 2012.
<http://www.beautyofnyc.org/stern_nycsubway.pdf>.
N/A, . "List of Museums in New York City." NYC Tourist. N.p., 12 Oct 2012. Web.
12 Oct 2012. <http://www.nyctourist.com/museums.htm>.