The historic importance of New York City to this country is undeniable.  New York Harbor was the entrance and passageway to America for many immigrants from Europe and their first real glimpse of the New World,  their new country, and New York City -- a city of hope.   The first blood shed in the Revolutionary War was in New York City on John Street in lower Manhattan on January 18, 1770 at the Battle of Golden Hill six weeks before the Boston Massacre.  Revolutionary War battles were not only fought in New York City, but in Brooklyn and Staten Island, and more Americans gave their lives in these battles or in prisons in New York state than anywhere in America during the War of Independence.  

Important Historical Facts about New York City: 

• The Declaration of Independence was publicly read to George Washington’s troops and the public in New York City on July 9, 1776 at what is now City Hall Park in downtown Manhattan.
• Revolutionary War battles were fought on Staten Island, in Brooklyn Heights, Long Island (August 27 - 29, 1776) and Harlem Heights (September 16, 1776).
• In the summer of 1776, a British fleet of 30 battleships with 1,200 cannons, 30,000 soldiers, 10,000 sailors and 300 supply ships occupied New York Harbor (the estimated number of soldiers and sailors vary in different accounts).
• George Washington planned an astonishing retreat of Continental Army troops from Brooklyn Heights across the East River.  The British captured New York City and held in for seven years.
• During the war, American prisoners of war would be imprisoned aboard British prison ships in New York harbor and over 11,000 would die there.
• General George Washington set up another war-time headquarters at Morris-Jumel Mansion in Harlem Heights and, eventually, at the Battle of Harlem Heights, American troops forced the British to retreat from Manhattan.
• At a Harlem tavern on November 25, 1783, George Washington waited for word that the British troops -- ending their seven years occupancy -- had finally left New York City. 
  
• At Fraunces Tavern in downtown Manhattan, Washington said an emotional goodbye to his troops on December 4, 1783. The Tavern, now a museum, would become offices of the new U.S. government's Departments of War, Treasury and Foreign Affairs.
• New York City became the country's first capital on January 11, 1785 and the first session of the United States Congress was held (March 4 - September 1789) at Federal Hall and the second session (January 4, 1790 - August 12, 1790).  
• The country's first President, George Washington, was sworn into office by the first Vice President, John Adams, at Federal Hall (on Wall Street) on April 30, 1789. Washington would enter New York City and New York harbor by crossing the Hudson River from Elizabethtown, New Jersey on a 55 foot barge navigated by 13 rowing sailors in white uniforms.  Wearing a black velvet suit, Washington was then driven to the inauguration ceremony in a canary-yellow carriage pulled by six white horses and accompanied by the New York State militia. Cannons roared, church bells rang, crowds gathered and shouted from the streets and rooftops and candles were aglow throughout the City that evening. At the inauguration ball each woman was given a fan with an ivory frame, made in Paris, which when opened, displayed a likeness of George Washington's profile.
• The first presidential mansion was in New York City at 3 Cherry Street in downtown Manhattan.  The land where the mansion stood would eventually become a part of the Brooklyn Bridge.
• Members of President George Washington's first cabinet, many of them founding fathers, would establish residences in New York City. 
  
• Two New York State governors (of the same family) became great American Presidents: Theodore Roosevelt and Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR).
  
• The City has always been a home to those seeking a new life without oppression and bigotry and a beacon to artists, musicians, jazz pioneers, and progressive thinkers, and
• Many of our ancestors entered this country as immigrants with their hopes of a new life through New York Harbor and Ellis Island, and, therefore, New York City is a city that belongs to all Americans and the entire world.