The creative spirit of Christmas is strong in New York City! On this date, back in 1905, O Henry’s classic Christmas story “The Gift of the Magi” was published in The New York World newspaper. The plot and its twist ending are well-known, and the ending is generally considered an example of comic irony. It was …
In 1789, President George Washington in New York City issued the first Thanksgiving Proclamation by the national government. In it, he called upon Americans to express their gratitude for the happy conclusion to the country’s War of Independence and the successful ratification of the U.S. Constitution. Washington noted that the day should be one of …
Today is Evacuation Day in NYC. On this date, back in 1783, the War of Revolution came to an end when the British evacuated New York. The war had officially ended in September, however New York was the last British military position in the U.S. After the British evacuated, General George Washington triumphantly led the …
Prior to 9/11, terrorism was no stranger to NYC. On this date Sept. 16, back in 1920, a Horse-drawn wagon bomb exploded on Wall Street outside the headquarters of the J.P. Morgan bank. The explosion killed 38 people and injured hundreds more. The crime was never solved. Authorities believe it was the destructive, senseless work …
Today we remember New Yorker, Olympian Swimmer, and “Queen of the Waves” Gertrude Ederle. On August 6th, back in 1926, she became the 1st woman to swim the English Channel. It took her 14 hours and 34 minutes to complete the swim. This was Ederle’s second attempt to swim the channel. Her first try on …