11 facts about New York that will amaze you: from history to modern times
'12.08.2020'
Vita Popova
Interesting facts about New York were shared by the author of the Agriculture News channel on the website Yandex Zen... He admitted that many of them were a discovery for him.
New York today is one of the most famous cities in the world. Largely due to the fact that he often appears on TV screens - films about the Big Apple were often shot by the most talented directors. It was from the cinema that various myths about the "city that never sleeps"... When thinking of New York, many people imagine yellow taxis, expensive boutiques, and luxury hotels. But what is it really, this "city of dreams"? To better understand its essence, we suggest diving into history.
The history of the city begins with the Dutch quest for a fast route to Asia. Once the English navigator Henry Hudson, in the service of the Dutch East India Company, reached the Gulf of New York and sailed north along the Hudson River to the future city of Albany and along Manhattan. Returning to the Netherlands, he reported on the situation. It was decided that the site would be ideal for building the first Dutch colony in America.
The first European settlement appeared on the south side of Manhattan as early as 1613. In 1626, the governor of the New Netherlands, Peter Mineuyt, bought the island of Manhattan from the Indian tribe of Manhatta, and the settlement on the island itself was renamed New Amsterdam.
Then there was the American War of Independence - the war of Great Britain and the loyal to the legitimate government of the British crown against the revolutionaries of 13 British colonies. After graduation, several thousand people moved from New England to New York. In 1820, the city's population was 95% American.
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The strength and financial power of New York gradually grew. Between 1892 and 1954, millions of people immigrated to the United States via New York Harbor. “They drove through the famous Ellis Island. Approximately 40 percent of Americans can trace at least one ancestor to Ellis Island, ”the author notes.
New York is now comprised of five boroughs: Manhattan, Staten Island, Queens, Brooklyn and the Bronx.
Modern New York, like a magnet, attracts many people from different countries. Someone is attracted by the opportunities that he opens up. After all, it is here that the New York Stock Exchange is located - the main US stock exchange and the world's largest in terms of turnover. It is also a major international economic center.
Others are attracted by the indescribable atmosphere of the metropolis, because New York mixed different cultures and nationalities in one "melting pot"... It allows you to immerse yourself in different cultures, taste new dishes and discover something new.
But what exactly makes New York such a unique place to live?
Here are 11 facts about New York that I don't know all about.
- Why is New York called the "Big Apple"?
"Big Apple" is the most famous unofficial name for New York. There is at least 5 versions the origin of this name. The most realistic version goes back to 1920. Then this term was first used by the sports columnist of the New York Morning Telegraph, John Fitzgerald.
In those days, the New York racetracks were very famous. “The phrase“ Big Apple ”was used at the time to denote a large cash prize at the races. However, the city adopted this name, and since then has been known as the "Big Apple" - the author notes.
Fitzgerald himself said that in New Orleans he heard such an expression from jockeys: "Horses love apples, and horse racing in New York is a big apple." He picked up this expression to use in his story of the New York races.
- Polyglot City
New Yorkers speak an incredible number of languages. In total, there are 800 languages that can be heard on its streets. Among them is the language of the Garifuna and Quechua people, which are very rare even in the countries of origin. “This makes New York the most linguistically diverse city in the world,” the author notes, adding that four out of ten households speak a language other than English. This is not surprising, because 37% of the inhabitants of this metropolis were born outside of it.
- Most populous metropolis in the USA
More than 40% of the entire population of New York State lives in New York City. This is more than 27 thousand people per square kilometer. “New York is home to just over eight million people, which means that every 38th resident of the United States lives in this city,” the author noted.
- Complex subway system
It will take a long time for a beginner to understand the New York subway system. Therefore, they often use Google maps to get to their destination, saving time and hassle.
The metro route network consists of 36 lines and 472 stops. “If you want to get to every single stop in this system, it will most likely take about 24 hours. The current world record for this indicator is 21 hours 49 minutes, ”the author writes.
- The Statue of Liberty is a gift
Not everyone knows that the famous Statue of Liberty is a gift to New York from France. “It was a gift from France for the centenary of the United States. It took four months to assemble (the statue - Ed.) On Ellis Island, where it is currently located, ”the author writes.
By the way, the monument was delivered to the largest city in America in parts. “The hand of the statue arrived in 1876, the rest of the statue arrived in New York nearly ten years later, in 1885. The statue consisted of 350 parts, ”said the author.
- One moving day for everyone
Once upon a time in New York there was a strange rule regarding the relocation of its residents. Until the 1920s, all New Yorkers could move to a new place of residence only one day a year - May 1.
This has been the case from colonial times to the beginning of the 1920th century. This caused great chaos in the streets. “Imagine roads full of horse-drawn moving vans all over New York! In the XNUMXs, this practice began to go out of style, and now modern New Yorkers can move whenever they want, ”the author noted.
- What do a subway ticket and a slice of pizza have in common?
Indeed, what can be in common between a subway ride and a slice of pizza? For example, the fact that the cost of the first and the second is always approximately the same. “This phenomenon is rather strange, it has existed since the 1980s. In New York, subway fares and a slice of pizza are always roughly equal. If the price of one, then the price of the other will usually rise by about the same amount over several months, ”the author explained.
By the way, the first pizzeria in America appeared in New York. It happened in 1905. Pizzerias soon became popular, and today there are about 1600 of them throughout the city.
- Why is Brooklyn and Queens so unique?
New York's two boroughs, Brooklyn and Queens, are so huge that they could each become the fourth largest city in the United States! “This means that the population of any of these areas is higher than any other city in the United States, except for New York, Los Angeles and Chicago,” the author added.
- What does Times Square have to do with the media?
Perhaps every person in the world knows what Times Square looks like - a square in the central part of Manhattan. She is considered a symbol of the city and the whole of America. It is also called “the crossroads of the world” - there are indeed many people at any time of the day, spellbound at the huge screens with colorful advertisements.
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But not everyone knows how this square got its name. Times Square is named after the New York Times. It was originally called Longacre Square. However, The Times moved there in 1904, giving the place a new name, ”the author shared.
- Topless is allowed in New York
It is unlikely that you will encounter many naked-chested passers-by in New York City. However, this is not prohibited by law.
The fact is that once the photographer and feminist Holly Van Vast was repeatedly detained by the police during her topless walks. In 2013, she went to the state Supreme Court and won the case. Now all New Yorkers are officially allowed to walk topless, and the previous ban has been recognized as gender discrimination.
And in 2018, the city even hosted a parade called Go Topless Day.
- In New York, motorists are prohibited from honking
Despite the fact that topless walking around the city is allowed, honking while driving is prohibited. An exception can only be an emergency. True, New Yorkers constantly violate this rule.
