Friday, October 29, 2010

History of New York

The history of the New York City began in the year 1524, when an Italian, Giovanni da Verrazano, discovered it for the first time and met the natives. However, it was Henry Hudson, the first Englishmen, who set foot on this land in 1609. Then in 1624 the Dutch founded the first trading post here and in 1626 the first governor was appointed. Within the next 20 years many Dutch came to this place and settled here, and made a small town on the southern tip of Manhattan Island called New Amsterdam. In addition to the Dutch, French, English also came to this city to settle. Finally, in 1654 the first of the Jews set foot in this city. However, before all these immigrants the black slaves came to this city in 1628 and played an important role in making the colony. In 1653 the population of the New Amsterdam grew and the first wooden wall was built all around the city to prevent it from attacks from the other settlers. Dutch continued to settle until the first British, who arrived in 1664 and captured the island.

British rule started from 1664 and lasted till 1783 before they left the city. During this period many incidents took place. In 1712, a group of slaves set up a fire to a company due to some disagreement between them and the owner. Then in 1741 a series of fire broke out throughout the city. Riots like these continued, now and then. When the British left, 6 years after that in 1789, George Washington got elected and made the City of New York the capital of the country. However, after one year the capital was moved to another city. During the 18th century, the condition of the city improve, in 1725 the first news paper was published, in 1732 the first theater in the city opened.

In the early 1825 the first Eerie Canal was completed providing a way to boats to great lakes. As a result the economy boomed as good could easily be transported now. However, a fire in 1835 nearly burned down the entire city. The mid-1800s were plagued by disease, intense immigration, political corruption, and a weak economy. The Civil War further worsened the condition of the city. The city was the focal point of the Draft Riots of 1863, in which young men were drafted into the military. The 1900s were considered as a golden year of the city, as economy grew once again, riots were seizes, wars ended and new technology and industrialization took place, along with that skyscrapers and other magnificent building started to be constructed. However, by the end of 1900s the crime was on the rise again, with robberies and murders the most common of the cases.

Then in 2001 the destruction of the World Trade Center took place, killing over 2000 people, it really changed the environment of the city. However, the economy still continued to rise even after such a huge loss. New York City is home to some of the most powerful politicians, lawyers and civilians of the world. Moreover, the city continues to grow, promising a bright future to those, who entangle themselves with the city.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Agnes_Celina


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