Founded By NYC Timeline: 40 Groundbreaking Events over 400 Years
Panoramic aerial view of Lower Manhttan. Photo: iStock
Many groundbreaking moments have taken place over New York City’s existence, even predating its official founding and going right up to the present. In many respects, NYC keeps making history every day. Below you’ll find a short list of events that have helped shape the diverse, thriving City that we know today; in turn, many things on this list have had a profound impact beyond these borders, influencing the nation and the world. There are far too many to name, but keep checking on our Founded By NYC page for more coverage. Meanwhile, read on for a brief account of people, places and points in time where history turned on what happened here; you’ll also find places to experience this legacy of innovation today.
National Museum of the American Indian. Photo: Gabby Jones
1625: New Amsterdam and the Lenape People
The Dutch established New Amsterdam on Lenape land. Explore the National Museum of the American Indian to learn about the region’s first people and their contributions to NYC’s history. For more on present-day efforts to commemorate the City’s heritage, read about the work of the Lenape Center.
Fraunces Tavern. Photo: Marley White
1664: The English Take New Amsterdam
The English captured the settlement, renaming it New York after the Duke of York. Visit the Fraunces Tavern Museum to learn about the City’s colonial history and revolutionary spirit.
African Burial Ground National Monument. Photo: Gabby Jones
Late 1600s: African Burial Ground Begins Use
A mostly pre-Revolution-era burial site for free and enslaved Africans—one that was rediscovered in the early 1990s and designated a landmark—the African Burial Ground National Monumentcommemorates NYC’s early Black community and its contributions to the City. Visit the site in downtown Manhattan for tours and exhibitions.
1730: The First Synagogue Is Established
Congregation Shearith Israel, the oldest Jewish congregation in North America, was founded in Lower Manhattan. Tour its current location on the Upper West Side to explore NYC’s Jewish heritage, and don’t miss further evidence of Jewish influence in the City at other historic synagogues and appetizing stores and in neighborhoods such as Crown Heights.
Conference House Museum and Park. Photo: Beth Harpaz
1776: A Peace Meeting Takes Place at Conference House
Staten Island’s Conference House Museum and Parkpreserves both revolutionary history—as the site of a meeting, which included founding fathers John Adams and Benjamin Franklin, that attempted to prevent the war—and Indigenous history, acknowledging those who originally lived on this land.
Federal Hall. Photo: Tagger Yancey IV
1789–91: George Washington’s Inauguration, the Bill of Rights and Seat of Government
George Washington was inaugurated as the first US President at Federal Hall, setting a precedent for NYC’s role in American democracy; the capital of the new nation resided here until moving to Philadelphia in 1792 (and Washington, DC, soon thereafter). Congress drafted the Bill of Rights here and ratified it in 1791. Visit Federal Hall National Memorial to view exhibits on early American history, including the stone Washington stood upon as he became the nation’s president, as well as the Bible used during his oath.
Staten Island Ferry. Photo: Lucia Vazquez
1817: The First Staten Island Ferry Sets Sail
A steam-powered ferry began running began Staten Island and Manhattan, establishing a link that remains in place. The modern version is free, runs 24 hours and has great views of the harbor and Lady Liberty; once you disembark on the Staten Island side, you’re in St. George, right near a lighthouse museum that preserves some of the City’s nautical past.
1827: Emancipation of Enslaved People in New York
New York abolished slavery, a milestone in its history as a progressive force. Discover Abolitionist Place in Brooklyn, where many fought for freedom, and read about it and other significant places in the borough’s abolitionist history.
Courtesy, St. Patrick’s Cathedral
1840s: Irish Immigration and the Great Famine
Waves of Irish immigrants arrived, shaping the City’s character; many worked on railways and bridges and settled in the Bronx. Visit St. Patrick’s Cathedral, make your way to the Irish Hunger Memorial or head up to the Bronx’s Woodlawn neighborhood for Irish culture and heritage.
The Public Theater. Photo: Kate Glicksberg
1849: Astor Place Riot
A cultural clash between American and British theatergoers resulted in NYC’s infamous theater riot. Today, visit The Public Theater near Astor Place, a center for inclusive, innovative performances and the birthplace of such hit fare as A Chorus Lineand Hair—as well as the institution behind longtime tradition Shakespeare in the Park. And don’t miss Alamo (aka the Astor Place Cube) right outside, a public sculpture by artist Tony Rosenthal that has served as an unofficial gateway to the East Village since 1967.
Seneca Village. Photo: Gabby Jones
1850s: A Flourishing Seneca Village Ends
Seneca Village, a predominantly Black community located where Central Park now stands, began in the 1820s and grew from 10 to more than 50 homes over three decades. Discover its legacy through markers in Central Park, which honor this important, thriving community, and learn about NYC’s other free Black communities—including Weeksville, which preserves its history through tours and events—that existed before the Civil War.
Broadway. Photo: Lucia Vazquez
1866: The Birth of NYC’s Theatre District
Post–Civil War, theaters thrived in NYC, particularly around Union Square—and what was thought to be the first proper musical production was staged this year. In the early 1900s, the center of the action moved north, and today you can catch a show on Broadway or visit the Museum of Broadway to experience the evolution of NYC’s theater culture.
Prospect Park. Photo: Scott Rossi
1873 & 1876: Prospect Park and Central Park Are Completed
These two green spaces, courtesy of Olmsted and Vaux, serve as the hearts and lungs of Brooklyn and Manhattan. Though both hold numerous attractions and receive lots of visitors for playgrounds and events, they each have wild areas that evoke a natural landscape (though in Central Park’s case, it was created specifically for the park).
Courtesy, Alice Austen House
1876: Alice Austen Gets Her First Camera
The Staten Islander, one of the earliest documentary photographers and an LGBTQ+ pioneer, produced thousands of images over her long, storied life. Visit the Alice Austen House to see her work and learn about her 50-plus-year relationship with Gertrude Tate.
Brooklyn Bridge. Photo: Gabby Jones
1883: Brooklyn Bridge Opens to the Public
The Brooklyn Bridge linked Manhattan and Brooklyn, symbolizing progress and engineering prowess. Walk across this iconic bridge for breathtaking views of NYC, and consider that much of its construction and its completion was overseen by Emily Roebling, who took over for her ailing husband, the original engineer.
Statue of Liberty. Photo: Julienne Schaer
1885: The Statue of Liberty Arrives
A gift from France, Lady Liberty became a beacon of hope for immigrants arriving in NYC. Construction and reassembly was not completed until the following year; it officially debuted on October 28, 1886. Ferry out to Liberty Island to visit this enduring symbol of freedom.
Ellis Island. Photo: Gabby Jones
1892: Ellis Island Welcomes Immigrants
Millions passed through Ellis Island, especially from Europe, as immigrants fleeing persecution and in search of opportunity arrived to become American citizens. Explore the museum and learn about the City’s immigrant roots and diverse cultural tapestry.
Coney Island. Photo: Brittany Petronella
1897–1904: Coney Island Becomes a Commercial Strip
Over a seven-year stretch, Steeplechase Park, Luna Park and Dreamland opened as amusement parks in the popular seaside spot, already home to other attractions and Charles Feltman's hot dog stand—the first of its kind. The originals have closed or burned down (there’s a much-newer Luna Park), but you can enjoy 100-year-old favorites such as Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs, the Cyclone roller coaster and the Wonder Wheel for the Coney experience.
1898: The Boroughs Are Incorporated
The five boroughs become a united city, as Manhattan and Brooklyn are officially connected with Queens, Staten Island and the Bronx.
7 Train. Photo: Tagger Yancey IV
1904: The First Subway Runs
The most convenient form of transit around the City has lines spreading across the boroughs, and the longest line, the A, goes from the northern tip of Manhattan all the way out to Far Rockaway, Queens. See some of our favorite stops; learn the details of how to get around; and look at costumed subway riders at Halloween.
Lombardi’s. Photo: David La Spina
1905: The First Pizzeria in the US Arrives
Lombardi’s, still open on Spring Street in Manhattan, takes credit for being the first pizza place in the country, but you can find all kinds of great pies and slices all over the City, whether at historic coal-oven spots, classic slice establishments or nouveau entries. Go to our comprehensive Pizza Guide for staff picks, pizza tours and much more.
Armory Show. Photo: Vincent Tullo
1913: The Armory Show Debuts
This landmark for modern art paved the way for NYC’s preeminence in the scene for the century, featuring a wealth of important Cubist works (and prompting then-President Theodore Roosevelt to declare, “That’s not art!”). In the following decade, the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), which holds masterpieces from Picasso, Warhol and other greats, would open, and various modern art movements would flourish in NYC. Meanwhile, the Park Avenue Armory, where the original show was held, runs tours, and a different Armory Show(named in homage) takes place at the Javits Center.
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. Photo: Kris Grave
1918: The Harlem Renaissance Begins
Spurred in part by the Great Migration, the Harlem Renaissance brought Black art, music and literature into the spotlight, producing influential figures such as Duke Ellington, James Van Der Zee and Zora Neale Hurston. Visit the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, celebrating its 100th anniversary, to learn about this extraordinary cultural era.
Museum of the Moving Image. Photo: Marley White
1920: Kaufman Astoria Studios Opens for Business
Filmmaking started in NYC decades earlier but soon began to move west. Kaufman, attached to the Museum of the Moving Image, is the oldest production studio in the City, where everything from productions by the Marx Brothers to Sesame Street has been made. Visit the adjacent museum for local film and TV history, take tours of NYC film locations and get tickets for live TV productions.
Courtesy, New York Yankees
1923: The Yankees Win Their First World Series
Led by slugger and all-time great Babe Ruth, New York’s Bronx-based baseball team secured the first of its 27 championships—the most in major league sports. See them in action at Yankee Stadium for a game or take a tour of the hallowed venue.
Empire State Building. Photo: Julienne Schaer
1931: The Empire State BuildingDebuts
NYC’s art deco gem, completed during a wave of skyscraper construction largely powered by Native American ironworkers living in Brooklyn, became the world’s tallest building for four decades. Head to the observatory for unbeatable views of the Midtown’s iconic skyline—and far beyond.
Unisphere. Photo: Shelli Weiler
1939 & 1964: NYC Hosts the World’s Fair
Held in Flushing Meadows, Queens, both fairs celebrated innovation and a forward-thinking vision. Visit the Unisphere in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, an iconic relic from the 1964 version; the Queens Museum, which resides in a structure also built for the fairs, holds lots of ephemera from the events.
Jackie Robinson Museum. Photo: Gabby Jones
1947: Jackie Robinson Breaks the Major League Baseball Color Barrier
As a rookie for the Brooklyn Dodgers, and as a subsequent activist, Robinson was a groundbreaking figure in sports and social causes. See his legacy at the Jackie Robinson Museum on the edge of Soho and the Jackie Robinson Rotunda in the New York Mets’ stadium, the retro look of which—particularly the main entrance, where the rotunda is—was inspired by the Dodgers’ Ebbets Field. (The former site of that field, in Flatbush, has a commemorative marker where home plate stood.)
Courtesy, Village Vanguard
Late 1940s: The Birth of Bebop Jazz
Harlem and Greenwich Village became the epicenters of jazz near the midcentury, with bebop coming to the fore in late-night sessions at Minton’s Playhouse uptown—a spot that has been reborn today. Experience live jazz at historic clubs like the Blue Note and Village Vanguard in Greenwich Village, the Apollo in Harlem and other spots in the City.
Puerto Rican Day Parade. Photo: David Dee Delgado
1950s: Puerto Rican Migration Hits Its Height
The wave of immigration from Puerto Rico, having begun a few decades earlier, peaked in this decade, with many new residents settling in East Harlem and the Lower East Side. In 1958 the first Puerto Rican Day Parade, held each year on Fifth Avenue, took place. Check out murals in East Harlemand institutions like the Clemente Center for just a taste of the community’s cultural impact.
Lincoln Center. Photo: Kate Glicksberg
1959: Lincoln Center’s Construction Gets Underway
This arts center, which officially opened in 1962 and continued being built throughout the decade, has become NYC’s cultural heart. Attend world-class performances from its many institutions, including the New York Philharmonic, Met Opera and New York City Ballet.
Chinatown. Photo: Julienne Schaer
1960s: Chinatowns Expand
Thanks to a change in immigration law, a new generation of Chinese immigrants revitalized Manhattan’s Chinatown, which had developed in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Stroll through Chinatown’s bustling streets for authentic eateries, shops and cultural landmarks, many of which date back decades. Check out, as well, the Chinatown in Flushing, Queens, which began to take shape in the 1970s, and those in Brooklyn’s Sunset Park and Avenue U.
Stonewall Inn. Photo: Gabby Jones
1969: The Stonewall Uprising Propels a Movement
The Stonewall Uprising, which took place in response to a police raid of the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in Greenwich Village, sparked the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement. Visit the Stonewall National Monument to honor this historic event, whose anniversary is commemorated by the NYC Pride March.
Big Pun Mural. Photo: Nicholas Knight
1973: Hip-Hop Takes Root in the Bronx
Hip-hop culture was born at a house party in the Bronx. Visit the borough, celebrate its contributions at spots like the Hip Hop Museum and learn more about hip-hop’s influence in the City in our borough by borough series covering the cultural movement.
NYC Marathon. Photo: Andrew Lichtenstein
1976: Dick Traum Runs the NYC Marathon
The same year the NYC Marathon expanded to five boroughs, Traum, who lost his leg in a car accident a decade earlier, completed the grueling 26.2-mile race—becoming the first with a prosthetic to run the event. The marathon is now considered among the top inclusive, accessible events anywhere, one reason it’s a joy for locals to line the streets and watch. The native New Yorker went on to found Achilles International, which focuses on inclusion and connection for athletes with disabilities.
Wall Street. Photo: Marley White
1987: Wall Street Defines an Era
In a decade of new economic peaks, this movie—a depiction of corporate greed defined by what takes place on the New York Stock Exchange, an institution that had its roots in 1792’s Buttonwood Agreement—does great work showing NYC as the center of the universe. Hot spots still around today include Tavern on the Green (pour one out for the ‘21’ Club).
High Line. Photo: Matthew Papa
1990s: The Meatpacking District Reinvents Itself
In a signal of NYC neighborhood changes to come, the formerly gritty Manhattan area becomes a hot spot for clubs, late-night dining and the odd high-end boutique. Within the next couple of decades, big-time attractions such as the High Line, Little Island and a new location for the Whitney Museum would follow.
9/11 Memorial. Photo: Brittany Petronella
2013: One World Trade Center Completed
The Twin Towers that were built in 1973 symbolized NYC’s ambition. Rising from the tragedy of the World Trade Center attacks and destruction that took place in 2001, One World Trade stands as a symbol of resilience. Visit the observatory for panoramic views and reflect at the 9/11 Memorial.
Hamilton. Photo: Joan Marcus
2015: Hamilton Makes Its Debut
Following a January premiere and sold-out run at the Public Theater, Hamilton made the move to Broadway in August; the rest, as the story goes, is history. See the show at the Richard Rodgers Theatre and seek out city sites relevant to Alexander Hamilton, founding father and former secretary of the treasury.
Indigenous Peoples Day. Photo: Cinthya Santos Briones
2016: First NYC Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration
NYC began celebrating Indigenous Peoples Day, honoring Native history and culture. Attend events, such as the one on Randalls Island or a summertime gathering at Queens Country Farm Museum.
Statue of Liberty. Photo: iStock/Simonkr
2025: NYC Celebrates 400 Years!(Bonus Event)
The City marks its 400th anniversary with Founded By NYC, a yearlong series of events, exhibitions and citywide celebrations. Explore historic sites and experience NYC’s legacy in this milestone year.
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