Timeline of New York City

Timeline of New York City traces the significant events in the history of New York City from its earliest settlements through to the present day. The city's history is marked by its rapid growth, its status as a melting pot of cultures, and its influence on the nation and the world in various fields including commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and entertainment.

Pre-1600s

• Before the arrival of Europeans, the area that is now New York City was inhabited by the Lenape people.
• In the early 16th century, European explorers began to visit the area.

1600s

• 1624 - The Dutch West India Company establishes the settlement of New Amsterdam on the southern tip of Manhattan Island.
• 1626 - Peter Minuit purchases Manhattan Island from the Lenape for trade goods valued at 60 guilders, often mythologized as worth $24.
• 1664 - New Amsterdam is seized by the English and renamed New York in honor of the Duke of York.

1700s

• 1776 - The Declaration of Independence is read aloud in New York City as the city becomes a key battleground in the American Revolutionary War.
• 1783 - The British army evacuates New York City in November, marking the end of the Revolutionary War. New York City becomes the capital of the United States.
• 1789 - George Washington is inaugurated as the first President of the United States in New York City.

1800s

• 1825 - The Erie Canal is completed, linking the Great Lakes with the Atlantic Ocean via the Hudson River, significantly boosting the city's economic growth.
• 1858 - Central Park opens, providing New Yorkers with a large public space for recreation.
• 1886 - The Statue of Liberty is dedicated on Liberty Island in New York Harbor.
• 1898 - The modern City of New York is formed with the consolidation of Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, Staten Island, and Manhattan.

1900s

• 1904 - The New York City Subway opens, becoming one of the largest and busiest metro systems in the world.
• 1916 - The Zoning Resolution is adopted, leading to the distinctive skyline of New York City.
• 1929 - The Wall Street Crash of 1929 marks the beginning of the Great Depression.
• 1945 - The United Nations Headquarters is established in New York City.
• 1962 - The Cuban Missile Crisis is addressed by President John F. Kennedy at the United Nations.
• 2001 - The September 11 attacks destroy the World Trade Center, killing nearly 3,000 people.

21st Century

• 2012 - Hurricane Sandy causes widespread damage to the city and its infrastructure.
• 2020 - New York City becomes an epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States.

See also

• History of New York City
• List of mayors of New York City
• Culture of New York City
• Economy of New York City