Peter Minuit
Peter Minuit arrived in what is now Manhattan in 1626. Representing the Dutch government, he purchased Manhattan for goods worth 60 guilders (24 dollars). Children could learn more at: Manhattan.
May 042024
Jul 262024
New York Flag
New York became the eleventh state of the United States by ratifying the Constitution in 1788. Giovanni de Verrazano entered New York Bay in 1524. In 1609 Henry Hudson explored the area. Peter Minuit bought Manhattan Island from the Indians in 1625 and named the colony New Amsterdam. In 1664 the British attacked and won the territory. They renamed the land New York, after the Duke of York. The state’s nickname is the “Empire State,” and the capital is Albany. New York, New York continues to be a leading power in commerce and industry. Children could visit an Internet site at: New York.
Sep 042024
First self-service restaurant opened in 1885. The Exchange Buffet in Manhattan served food only to men; and because there were no tables, men ate standing. By 1921 around 34 Exchange Buffets had opened.
Nov 132024
Holland Tunnel began operating in 1927. Named after its designer, Clifford Milburn Holland, the tunnel connects New Jersey and Manhattan; it runs under the Hudson River. It was the first American underwater tunnel. The designers had to build gigantic fans that would remove carbon monoxide, generated by the cars, from the tunnel. Currently about 90,000 vehicles use the tunnel per day. The tunnel was designated a United States National Historic Landmark on November 4, 1993.
Nov 272024
Macy’s held its first Thanksgiving Day parade in 1924 in Manhattan. Store employees wore costumes, and live animals from the Central Park Zoo were part of the festivities. Floats and professional bands were also in the parade. Balloons were introduced in 1928, and zoo animals no longer took part. The parade gained in popularity, but it was suspended from 1941 to 1944 because the World War II effort required the rubber and helium from the balloons. Television coverage began in 1948. Today high school and college marching bands, along with live performances of excerpts of Broadway shows and movies, accompany the floats and balloons.
Dec 222024
Lincoln Tunnel opened in 1937. It connects New Jersey with Manhattan and goes under the Hudson River. The tunnel is 1.5 miles long, and over 100,000 cars use it every day. Its original name was the Midtown Vehicular Tunnel, but officials named it after Abraham Lincoln.