History101.NYC is an ad-free learning resource available to the public at no charge. The project is dedicated to exploring New York’s fascinating past. We restore vintage photographs and prints that document the City's history and heritage. We also research the natural forces that shaped the environment, along with the people who formed the landscape and culture.
History of NYC - 10,000+ Years Ago
Learn all about NYC’s distant past as "Mannahatta" or the "Island of Many Hills"
History of NYC - 1600s
In the 1620's, the Dutch settled what would be known as New Amsterdam - a modern european village in a pristine New World. For four decades it endured, until the first Anglo-Dut... Continue Reading
History of NYC - 1700s
During the 18th Century, New York City was still largely rural, but rapidly expanding as more settlers arrived from Europe. The city would also play instrumental roles in attain... Continue Reading
History of NYC - 1800-1850
During this period, the Erie Canal begins operating - a game changer for the City and its place as a nexus of trade and economics. The New York Stock & Exchange Board is establi... Continue Reading
History of NYC - 1850s
By the 1850s, New York City's ports handled more goods and people than all other American ports combined. In 1855, Fernando Wood was elected as the first mayor. Continue Reading
History of NYC - 1860s
The 1860s were a time of reconstruction after the Civil War in 1865. The nation completed its first transcontinental railroad in 1868, the same year NYC completed its the first ... Continue Reading
History of NYC - 1870s
In 1870, Long Island City was formed in Queens. Four years later, New York City annexed the West Bronx, west of the Bronx River. This era would come to be known as "the Gilded A... Continue Reading
History of NYC - 1880s
The 1880's NYC would see increased commerce and growth in outer boroughs with the completion of both the Brooklyn and George Washington Bridges. Other iconic moments during this... Continue Reading
History of NYC - 1890s
The 1890s were a pivotal point in NYC history. Washington Square Arch, Carnegie Hall are built and the New York Public Library established while the U.S. Immigrant Inspection St... Continue Reading
History of NYC - 1900 to 1905
At the turn of the Twentieth Century, NYC was growing by leaps and bounds. The city would see many landmarks constructed during this era, including the Williamsburg Bridge, the ... Continue Reading
History of NYC - 1905 to 1910
The City's magnetic personality continues to attract a growing and culturally diverse population. Travelers, migrants and fugitives would be drawn to its shores from across the ... Continue Reading
History of NYC - 1910 to 1915
At the dawn of another decade, New York's expansion and cultural influence show no signs of slowing. The New York Public Library's main branch was completed and just a few block... Continue Reading
History of NYC - 1915 to 1920
After years of growth and success, the City faces some of its most harrowing challenges in the form the Influenza Epidemic, which would later become a full-blown pandemic due to... Continue Reading
History of NYC - 1920 to 1925
Like many other cities in the aftermath of a global war and pandemic, New York was ready to kick off a decade with a spirit of celebration. Society would break much new ground, ... Continue Reading
History of NYC - 1925 to 1930
From 1925 onward, the City would experience a massive cultural renaissance. New venues were opening all over the city to accommodate the growing demand for arts and entertainmen... Continue Reading
History of NYC - 1930 to 1935
The 30s would mark a far less jubilant period as the City would come to grips with the grim reality of the Great Depression. With the economy at record lows and unemployment at ... Continue Reading
History of NYC - 1935 to 1940
The Great Depression has come and gone, and the city is slowly returning to life. Rockefeller Center was built and the American Ballet Theatre was opened. The High School of Mus... Continue Reading
History of NYC - 1940 to 1945
The 1940s would mark a turning point in how society shares information thanks to widespread adoption of television. The first two TV stations in the city, WNBT (now WNBC) and WC... Continue Reading
History of NYC - 1945 to 1950
After six years of a world at war, the Allies have emerged victorious, an event which would fuel the American economy well into the next two decades. New York would ride this wa... Continue Reading
History of NYC - 1950 to 1955
At the apex of its postwar recovery, New York City continues to prosper at an unprecedented rate. A collaboration of Allies was successful not just in winning the war, but build... Continue Reading
History of NYC - 1955 to 1960
In the late 50s New York is still coasting on the success of the previous decade. The economy is strong and the population has just passed 7.7 million people. Air travel has bec... Continue Reading
History of NYC - 1960 to 1965
During the early 60s, New York City and its infrastructure continued to grow under the direction of Mayor Warner and prolific architect Robert Moses. Not all of his ideas were a... Continue Reading
History of NYC - 1965 to 1970
As the boon of the postwar economy declined and the civil rights movement began to build momentum, the late 60s would prove to be a time of change. The skyline loses one of its ... Continue Reading
History of NYC - 1970 to 1975
In the early 1970s a large movement of residents to the suburbs created a fiscal crisis in New York. Many residential buildings fell into disrepair, or lay in ruins throughout t... Continue Reading
History of NYC - 1975 to 1980
All of the misfortune and poverty of the early 1970's would come to a head in the latter part of the decade. The city faced its darkest hours as it continued to deteriorate into... Continue Reading
History of NYC - 1980 to 1985
The early 1980s marks a drastic transition as the City enjoys another decade of prosperity while the exodus of middle class residents to suburban areas has radically altered the... Continue Reading
History of NYC - 1985 to 1990
In the latter half of the 1980's New York City was working hard to recover from the decay of the 70's. It would take some time for the economic boom of this period to catch up w... Continue Reading