A Brief History and Introduction to New York City
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 Manhattan, 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. After the Revolutionary War, New York City's wealth and trading expertise would contribute to the success of the newly founded republic of America and New Yorkers would play important roles in the administration of George Washington. Alexander Hamilton served as Washington's Secretary of Treasury, developed the nation's financial system and created the national bank. Important Historical Facts about New York City:
Lower Manhattan is a rich textbook of American history. The photo above is of New York Harbor and its bridges (viewed from the South Street Seaport Museum): the Brooklyn Bridge (1883), the Manhattan Bridge (1909), and the Williamsburg Bridge (1896) in the far distance. New York City itself was a bridge from the Old World to the New World with endless possibilities and new hopes and lives. There are many wonderful websites on New York City and one might ask why another one? This website is my own personal celebration of and ode to the City and its exciting and diverse history. It's also an opportunity to share photos of historic and favorite City landmarks, and to suggest places you may wish to see or photograph when visiting (some will not be in your tour guide):
Returning Oysters to NY Harbor, an electric reef PHOTOS BY AND THE PROPERTY OF RONALD SPAINHOUR © 2008 by Ronald Spainhour ALL RIGHTS RESERVED MY GOTHAM PHOTOS, a book of some photographs on this website, can be ordered through AdoramaPix.com. Submit all comments and questions to: Ronald Spainhour.
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