History of New York City - 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 WCBW (now WCBS-TV) signed on the air for the first time. This era would also mark the beginning of another World War, and an inevitable wave of migrants seeking refuge from war-torn Europe. In the midst of this global drama, the New York City Opera was founded and New York Fashion Week began, further establishing the city’s empire of industry and the arts.
1941: Grand Central Terminal Concourse Interior
Photograph of commuters at Grand Central Terminal's Main Concourse, bathed in sunlight streaming through its majestic windows.
1942: Soldiers at Pennsylvania Station
Soldiers and sailors line up inside the concourse of Pennsylvania Station.
1943: Fulton Fish Market
Photograph of dock workers moving cargo at Fulton Fish Market with Manhattans' downtown skyscrapers visible in the background.
1942: American Gothic by Gordon Parks
Portrait of Ella Watson standing in front of the American flag with mop and broom.
1940: 16 Greenwich Street
Exterior view of 16 Greenwich Street and adjoining buildings beneath the shadow of the elevated railroad tracks.
1943: Harlem Street Scene
Photograph of three men walking down the street past on of Harlem's nightclubs.
1940: Battery Place and Washington Street
Exterior view of old buildings at the corner of Battery Place and Washington Street from southwest.
1940: Brooklyn Wallabout Market
Photograph of a vast crowd of trucks and horse-drawn carts at the Wallabout Market in Brooklyn, New York.
1940: Italian Pushcart Market in the Bronx
Photograph of a market of Italian push carts selling produce on Arthur & Crescent Avenues in the Bronx.
1942: New York Taxi Driver
Photograph of a taxi driver polishing the hood of his car in front of a row of brownstones.
1943: Business Advertisements in Harlem
Photograph of a diner, shoeshine booth and various printed advertisements near the corner of a block in Harlem.
1943: Street Vendor on a Corner in Harlem
Photograph of a fruit stand vendor waiting on customers on a corner in Harlem.
1943: Late Evening on the Lower East Side
Photograph of South Street with downtown Manhattan's iconic skyline in the background.
1940: Cars Parked on Greenwich Street
Photograph of cars parked in front of the buildings in facing Battery Park, between Washington And Greenwich Streets.
1940: Manhattan's Southwest Harbor
An aerial photograph of lower Manhattan overlooking Battery Park as part of a survey of Greenwich Street.
1943: Times Square Advertisement
Photograph of an iconic Times Square advertisement for Camel Cigarettes, featuring actual smoke blowing onto the street.
1944: D Day at Times Square
Photograph of sailors and civilians watching an electronic sign in Times Square for news of D-Day invasion.
1943: A Rainy Day in Times Square
Photograph of wet street and pavements at Time Square with the Times Building barely visible through the rain.
1943: Rainy Day in Times Square
Photograph of traffic and pedestrians with umbrellas walking along Times Square in midtown Manhattan.
1942: Waiting for an Elevated Train
Photograph of midtown commuters waiting at a platform for the Third Avenue elevated train.
1940: Aerial View of Elevated Railroad
Aerial photograph of Manhattan looking north over Washington and Greenwich Streets with Trinity Place on the right.
1943: Empty Barrels for Loading Fish
Photograph of empty barrels, stacked and ready for loading at the Fulton Fish Market.
1943: Pier at Fulton Fish Market
Photograph of a US Navy sailor standing on the pier at Fulton Fish Market in downtown Manhattan.
1943: Foggy Morning at Fulton Fish Market
Photograph of the Fulton Fish Market, with downtown skyscrapers barely visible in the morning fog.
1943: Evening at Fulton Fish Market
Evening photograph of a man hosing down the streets of Fulton Fish Market after hours.
1943: Fruit Vendor at Fulton Market
Photograph of a pushcart fruit vendor at Fulton Fish Market with downtown Manhattan skyscrapers visible in the background.
1943: Worker at Fulton FIsh Market
Photograph of a worker unloading at the Fulton Fish Market docks against a backdrop of downtown skyscrapers.
1941: View of The Apollo Theater and 125th Street
View of The Apollo Theater and 125th Street, illuminated by street signs at night.