History of New York, USA

1717 - March 8 - On Fishers Island in Long Island Sound, 1200 sheep were discovered to have been buried under a snow drift for four weeks. When finally uncovered, one hundred sheep were still alive.

The Weather Channel
March 8, 1717

1727 - November 15 - NY General assembly permits Jews to omit phrase "upon the faith of a Christian" from abjuration oath

onthisday.com

1771 - New York becomes the first US state to require a woman’s consent if her husband tries to sell property that she brought to a marriage.
The act also required the judge to meet privately with the woman to reassure himself that the signature wasn’t forged or her consent coerced.
https://www.theguardian.com/money/us-money-blog/2014/aug/11/women-rights-money-timeline-history

1775 - May 10 - American Revolution began; Ethan Allen and his Green Mountain Boys, along with Benedict Arnold took Fort Ticonderoga.
In the darkness of the night of May 9, 1775, Ethan Allen, along with Benedict Arnold, led a portion of his militia across the half-mile width of Lake Champlain to the base of the fort. As the sun rose the next morning Allen and his men rushed into the fort demanding its surrender. Taken totally by surprise, the Commander of the garrison meekly surrendered and the strategic fortress was captured without bloodshed.
www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/ethanallen.htm
May 10, 1775

1776 - New York declared independence from England; Nathan Hale hung for spying; Declaration of Independence endorsed; fire in New York City destroyed 1,000 homes

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1777 - July 5 - St. Clair surrenders Fort Ticonderoga to the British
In July 1777, during the American Revolutionary War, the surrender of Fort Ticonderoga to the British forces under General John Burgoyne was a significant event. The fort, located in present-day New York, was a key strategic stronghold guarding the southern access route to Canada. General Arthur St. Clair, commanding the American forces, faced mounting pressure as Burgoyne's army advanced southward from Canada.

St. Clair's position at Fort Ticonderoga was precarious due to its vulnerability to a siege and the lack of sufficient troops and supplies. Recognizing the imminent threat, St. Clair made the difficult decision to evacuate the fort to prevent its capture and destruction. On July 5, 1777, St. Clair and his forces abandoned Fort Ticonderoga, allowing the British to take possession without resistance.
July 5, 1777

1780 - September 25 - Benedict Arnold's plans to cede West Point to the British discovered.
On September 25, 1780, one of the most infamous incidents in American Revolutionary history occurred: the discovery of Benedict Arnold's plot to betray West Point to the British. Arnold, a former American general, had become disillusioned with the Revolutionary cause and sought personal gain by offering to hand over the strategically important fort to the British. His plan was to weaken the American position and secure a high-ranking position in the British army.

However, his scheme was foiled when British Major John Andre, who was carrying documents related to the plot, was captured by American forces. This led to the exposure of Arnold's treachery. Arnold managed to escape to the British lines, but his name became synonymous with betrayal in American history.
www.socialstudiesforkids.com/articles/ushistory/revolutionarywartimeline.htm
September 25, 1780

Read more about Benedict ARNOLD

1788 - New York became 11th state

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1792 - New York Stock Exchange founded
In 1792, the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) was founded on Wall Street in New York City. This event marked the beginning of organized trading in securities in the United States. The NYSE was initially established as a meeting place for stockbrokers to buy and sell securities, primarily government bonds and bank stocks.

The formation of the NYSE was prompted by the need for a more structured and regulated market for trading stocks and bonds. Prior to its establishment, trading often took place in informal settings, such as coffeehouses, where prices were not always transparent or fair. The NYSE brought a level of order and transparency to the trading process, which helped to attract more investors and businesses to participate in the market.
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1798 - Great epidemic killled 2,086

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1807 - Robert Fulton's steamboat Clermont sails up the Hudson River
In 1807, Robert Fulton's steamboat, the Clermont, made history by sailing up the Hudson River from New York City to Albany. This event marked a significant milestone in the development of steam-powered transportation. The Clermont, also known as the North River Steamboat of Clermont, was the first commercially successful steam-powered vessel.

Fulton's steamboat journey revolutionized transportation and trade along the Hudson River and beyond. Before steamboats, travel on rivers was slow and often depended on wind and currents. The Clermont's successful voyage demonstrated the practicality and reliability of steam power for transportation, leading to the rapid expansion of steamboat travel on rivers and eventually on oceans.
The World Almanac of the U.S.A, by Allan Carpenter and Carl Provorse, 1996

1815 - September 23 - One of the greatest hurricanes to strike New England made landfall at Long Island and crossed Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
It was the worst tempest in nearly two hundred years.
WeatherForYou.com

1825 - October 26 - Erie Canal completed
The work completed. - This is the day, and 10 o'clock the hour, when the first boat from Lake Erie enters the Grand Canal and proceeded to the city of New York; a distance of 500 miles. - All doubts, the New-York Advocate confesses, are at an end. "The great work, (says he,) has been accomplished by the freemen of this state, by their own hands, and with their own means and in the 50th year of American independence. Those who, in the incipient progress of the work, pronounced it wild and visionary, ruinous and extravagant, (and we were the first among the number,) now heartily join in exchanging congratulations, and participating in the celebration of its completion. No cold or reluctant admission of error - no withering concessions - no fretful or impatient surrender of opinions are wrung from the former opponents of the project; it is at once, open, frank, and manly, giving honor and credit to whom honor and credit are due, and burying hostility in oblivion by the magnanimity of... Read MORE...

1831 - New York's first railroad opened
In 1831, New York witnessed a transformative moment with the opening of its first railroad, marking a significant leap forward in transportation technology and urban development. The railroad, stretching from Albany to Schenectady, was a modest 16-mile line, yet its impact was profound. This inaugural journey marked the beginning of a new era, revolutionizing travel and commerce in the state and beyond. Passengers and goods could now move swiftly and efficiently, reducing travel time and costs, and opening up new economic opportunities.
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1845 - Women gain the right to file patents in New York.

https://www.theguardian.com/money/us-money-blog/2014/aug/11/women-rights-money-timeline-history

1848 - Married Woman’s Property Act is passed in New York.
For the first time, a woman wasn’t automatically liable for her husband’s debts; she could enter contracts on her own; she could collect rents or receive an inheritance in her own right; she could file a lawsuit on her own behalf. She became for economic purposes, an individual, as if she were still single.
https://www.theguardian.com/money/us-money-blog/2014/aug/11/women-rights-money-timeline-history

1854 - New York
New York, one of the Middle States of the United States, and the most populous of the confederacy, is bounded on the N. by Lake Ontario, the St. Lawrence, and Canada East ; on the E. by Vermont, Massachusetts, and Connecticut; on the S. by the Atlantic, (if we include Long Island. 1 by New Jersey and Pennsylvania ; and W. by Pennsylvania. Lake Erie, and the Niagara river. This state is separated on the W. and N. W. from Canada West, by Lakes Erie and Ontario, and by the Niagara and St. Lawrence rivers ; and partly from Vermont by Lake Champlain. It lies between 40° 30* and 45° N. lat., and between (if we include Long Island, a dependency of the state) 72° and 79° 55'. W. Ion. Its extreme length from E. to W., exclusive of Long Island, is about 335 miles, and its greatest breadth from N. to S. about 308 miles, including an area of about 46,000 square miles, or 20,440,000 acres, of which 12,408,008 only were improved in 1850, showing a great capacity for increase of population, even in... Read MORE...

1868 - A "brilliant and lovely" young married woman in New York, aged twenty-five, now sports her fourth husband, having sough relief through the divorce courts from conjugal unpleasantnesses three times since her first marriage, in 1860.

St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
April 18, 1868

1868 - People who receive circulars from New York or elsewhere containing samples of prints of which twelve yards will be sent for a dollar, or ten yards for eighty-five cents, are advised to suspect a swindle.
The address of one concern issuing such circulars was visited in New York the other day, and it was found that the place was in charge of a boy, and that no business was transacted beyond receiving letter, which usually numbered from thirty five to fifty a day.
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
April 18, 1868

1869 - To do the thing properly in New York at a wedding, the bride must have eight bridesmaids, and a hundred-dollar poodle beside the one she marries.

St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
October 30, 1869

1870 - A young man in New York bet that he could drink six glasses of ice water. He did, and he died.


St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
July 16, 1870

1884 - August 5 – The cornerstone for the Statue of Liberty is laid on Bedloe's Island in New York Harbor.
On August 5, 1884, a significant event took place in New York Harbor: the laying of the cornerstone for the Statue of Liberty. This iconic monument, a gift from France to the United States, symbolizes freedom and democracy. The ceremony marked the beginning of a project that would eventually become one of the most recognized landmarks in the world.

The statue's construction was a collaborative effort between the two nations, with French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi designing the statue and Gustave Eiffel, of Eiffel Tower fame, overseeing its structural framework. The statue was initially named "Liberty Enlightening the World" and was intended to celebrate the centennial of the United States and the enduring friendship between France and America. The laying of the cornerstone was a momentous occasion, setting the stage for the completion of this monumental symbol of liberty and hope.
August 5, 1884

1888 - April 3 – The Brighton Beach Hotel in Coney Island is moved 520 feet using six steam locomotives by civil engineer B. C. Miller to save it from ocean storms.
In 1888, the Brighton Beach Hotel, a grand establishment located in Coney Island, faced the imminent threat of destruction from powerful ocean storms. To save the iconic hotel, civil engineer B. C. Miller devised an ambitious plan to move the entire structure 520 feet inland. This monumental task required the use of six steam locomotives, which were employed to slowly and carefully transport the massive building to its new location.

The relocation of the Brighton Beach Hotel was a remarkable engineering feat that captured the attention of the public and highlighted the ingenuity and determination of the era. The successful relocation of the hotel ensured its preservation and allowed it to continue operating as a popular destination for visitors to Coney Island, serving as a testament to the resourcefulness and innovation of the time.
April 3, 1888

1888 - June 26 - Residents of New York suffered through a record heat wave.
Daily average temperatures were above 80 degrees for fourteen straight days. The heat wave was a sharp contrast to the severe blizzard in March of that year, which buried the city under nearly two feet of snow.
WeatherForYou.com
June 26, 1888

1901 - April 25 – New York State becomes the first to require automobile license plates.
In 1901, a significant milestone in automotive history occurred as New York State became the first in the United States to mandate automobile license plates. This development was prompted by the increasing popularity and presence of automobiles on the state's roads. The requirement aimed to regulate and identify vehicles, ensuring accountability and potentially enhancing road safety.

Before this mandate, vehicles lacked a standardized system for identification, leading to confusion and challenges in tracking ownership and usage. The introduction of license plates provided a practical solution, allowing authorities to easily identify and monitor vehicles. This innovation set a precedent for other states and countries to adopt similar regulations, establishing a foundational aspect of modern automotive infrastructure and regulation.
April 25,1901

1918 - Great Influenza Pandemic killed 851
The Great Influenza Pandemic of 1918, also known as the Spanish flu, was a global outbreak of influenza that caused widespread illness and death. In New York, the pandemic took a heavy toll, claiming the lives of 851 individuals. The virus spread rapidly, overwhelming healthcare systems and creating a state of emergency in many cities, including New York.

During this time, hospitals were overcrowded, and medical supplies were in short supply. Public health measures such as wearing masks, quarantines, and school closures were implemented to curb the spread of the virus. Despite these efforts, the pandemic continued to spread, leaving a devastating impact on families and communities across New York and the world.
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1924 - Radice v. New York, a New York state case, upholds a law that forbade waitresses from working the night shift but made an exception for entertainers and ladies’ room attendants.

nationalwomenshistoryalliance.org

1927 - Girls Grow Wiser
NEW YORK, Sept, 30 (AP). - From Mrs. Herbert Hoover comes the statement that frequently the girl of today at ten knows more than her grandmother did the day she died; they have to, because there is a lot more to know. But, she added, in an address to Girl Scouts, girls today are fundamentally the same as always.

The Knickerbocker Press
New York
October 1, 1927

1929 - New York Stock Exchanged crashed; Great Depression began
The Wall Street Crash of 1929, also known as Black Tuesday, marked the beginning of the Great Depression, one of the most severe economic downturns in modern history. On October 29, 1929, stock prices plummeted on the New York Stock Exchange, leading to a panic that spread throughout the financial markets. The crash was a culmination of a speculative bubble in the stock market, fueled by excessive borrowing to buy stocks, as well as overproduction and a decline in consumer spending.

The aftermath of the crash was devastating. Banks failed, businesses went bankrupt, and millions of people lost their jobs. The Great Depression had far-reaching effects, leading to a decade-long economic downturn characterized by high unemployment, poverty, and a severe decline in industrial production
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Frances Perkins becomes the first female member of a Presidential cabinet, 1933
Perkins, a sociologist and Progressive reformer in New York, served as Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Secretary of Labor. She kept her job until 1945.
history.com

1936 - February 24th - 25th - 1936 - Vermont and New Hampshire received brown snow due to dust from storms in the Great Plains Region. A muddy rain fell across parts of northern New York State.

The Weather Channel

1938 - Sept. 21 - The Great Hurricane brought terror to large parts of New England and Long Island
A great hurricane smashed into Long Island and bisected New England causing a massive forest blow down and widespread flooding. Winds gusted to 186 mph at Blue Hill MA, and a storm surge of nearly thirty feet caused extensive flooding along the coast of Rhode Island. The hurricane killed 600 persons and caused 500 million dollars damage. The hurricane, which lasted twelve days, destroyed 275 million trees. Hardest hit were Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Long Island NY. The ""Long Island Express"" produced gargantuan waves with its 150 mph winds, waves which smashed against the New England shore with such force that earthquake-recording machines on the Pacific coast clearly showed the shock of each wave.


WeatherForYou.com
September 21, 1938

1939 - October 15 – The New York Municipal Airport (later renamed La Guardia Airport) is dedicated.
On October 15, 1939, a significant event in aviation history took place with the dedication of the New York Municipal Airport, later known as LaGuardia Airport. This dedication marked a major milestone in the development of air travel, particularly in the United States. Located in Queens, New York City, the airport was named after Fiorello La Guardia, the mayor of New York City at the time, who was instrumental in its development.
October 15, 1939

1944 - Extinction of Man Deemed Unlikely
NEW YORK - Knowledge will probably save mankind from eventual extinction like that which overtook the dinosaur and other creatures of past ages. This is the opinion of Dr Alex Hidricka noted anthropologist.

If humankind remained entirely dependent on nature it would probably follow in time the same course as all other living forms, he says. Man, however, is steadily developing knowledge and so the anticipation is that before his time shall have arrived he will know enough to safeguard both is continued existence and further progress.
The Berkshire Evening Eagle
Pittsfield, Massachusetts
March 14, 1944

1965 - Black nationalist leader, Malcom X, assassinated
On February 21, 1965, Malcolm X, a prominent African American nationalist leader and civil rights activist, was assassinated at the Audubon Ballroom in New York City. Malcolm X, born Malcolm Little, had been a key figure in the Nation of Islam, a religious and political movement advocating for the empowerment of Black Americans. However, he had recently broken away from the Nation of Islam and founded his own organization, the Organization of Afro-American Unity, which focused more on Pan-Africanism and cooperation among all African-descended people worldwide.

Malcolm X's assassination was a significant event in the civil rights movement and had a profound impact on the struggle for racial equality in the United States. His advocacy for Black pride, self-defense, and self-determination, as well as his critiques of systemic racism and oppression, inspired many to continue the fight for justice.
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1965 - Great Northeast Blackout (power outage)
The Great Northeast Blackout of 1965 was one of the most significant power outages in North American history, affecting an estimated 30 million people in the United States and Canada. It occurred on November 9-10, 1965, when a series of malfunctions and human errors led to a cascading power failure that affected a vast area, including parts of Ontario and Quebec in Canada and Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania in the United States.

The blackout lasted approximately 13 hours, during which time cities like New York plunged into darkness, causing widespread confusion and disruptions. Traffic lights went out, causing massive traffic jams, and businesses and schools were forced to close. The event highlighted vulnerabilities in the power grid and led to improvements in power system reliability and emergency response protocols.

2023 - There's something for everyone in the Empire State. Here's a list of places to go and things to do in New York State:
1. New York City

Times Square: Experience the iconic lights, Broadway shows, and the bustling atmosphere of this famous intersection
.
Central Park: Stroll, bike, or take a carriage ride through this expansive urban oasis.

Statue of Liberty: Visit Lady Liberty and Ellis Island to learn about America's immigrant history.

Empire State Building: Soak in panoramic views of the city from its observation deck.

Museum of Modern Art (MoMA): Explore a world-class collection of contemporary art.

Metropolitan Museum of Art: Discover art spanning 5,000 years from around the globe.

Brooklyn Bridge: Walk or bike across this iconic bridge for stunning city views.

Broadway Shows: Catch a live performance of a Broadway musical or play.

9/ 11 Memorial and Museum: Pay your respects and learn about the tragic events of September 11, 2001.

Chinatown and Little Italy: Explore these vibrant neighborhoods for authentic cuisine and cultural experiences.

2. The... Read MORE...