Viewing NYC Articles Categorized Under History

[WATCH] The Dark Secrets Behind The Metropolitan Museum Of Art's Most Famous Exhibits

2026-09-22T12:00:00-04:00

The documentary The Dark Secrets Behind The Metropolitan Museum Of Art's Most Famous Exhibits delves into the hidden histories of several renowned artifacts housed at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. It uncovers the scandalous tale of the Diana statue, linked to the "Trial of the Century" involving architect Stanford White, socialite Evelyn Nesbitt, and the murder by Harry Thaw at Madison Square Garden. The video also examines Henry VIII's final suit of armor, revealing medical evidence suggesting his transformation into a tyrant after a jousting accident. Further investigations explore the mysterious power of the Temple of Dendur, the true nature of the Antioch Chalice (once believed to be the Holy Grail), and the Nazi-looted Manuscript of the Apocalypse displayed at The Cloisters. The film also highlights the Met's surprising contribution to designing modern military helmets and body armor during the World Wars, showcasing how ancient medieval technology influenced 20th-century warfare.

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[WATCH] Robert Caro on how Robert Moses infrastructure projects fueled discrimination

2026-09-18T12:00:00-04:00

Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer Robert Caro shares insights from his research into Robert Moses, particularly how the "master builder" utilized public works to perpetuate discrimination. Caro explains how Moses intentionally designed infrastructure like the low bridges on parkways leading to Jones Beach State Park to prevent public transit, such as buses, from reaching the popular bathing spot. This effectively excluded poor people and people of color, who lacked private automobiles, from accessing the beach. Caro describes his own observations decades later, noting the stark racial demographics at the beach, which underscored the lasting impact of Moses's discriminatory policies on the powerless.

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[REPOST] [VIDEO] Walking Through NYC's St. Mark's Place: Downtown's Historic Arts Center

2026-09-16T12:00:00-04:00

Join tour guide and comedian Tom Delgado for an engaging stroll down St. Marks Place, one of the most culturally significant streets in the East Village. This walk highlights the neighborhood's evolution from a 19th century enclave for the wealthy and German immigrants to a gritty mid-century hub for counterculture artists, musicians, and visionaries. Throughout the journey, you will discover the rich histories behind local landmarks like the Hamilton-Holly House, the former Electric Circus nightclub, and the iconic Physical Graffiti building famously featured on a Led Zeppelin album cover. Through personal anecdotes and historical insights, the video captures the spirit of downtown New York City while reflecting on the modern challenges of gentrification and the changing landscape of small businesses in the area.

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[REPOST] [WATCH] New York's West Village, Explained

2026-09-14T12:00:00-04:00

Greenwich Village (and its subsection the West Village) is one of the most iconic and historic neighborhoods in the United States. This video traces the history of the neighborhood from its early days as a suburb of New York to its present status as one of the most affluent and wealthy places in the country. We discuss the Stonewall riots, Jane Jacobs, the tradeoffs and dangers of historic preservation, the infamous Cut article, and Washington Square Park.

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[VIDEO] How the NYC Ferry Is Staging a Comeback

2026-09-12T12:00:00-04:00

Discover the unexpected resurgence of the NYC Ferry, a once-dominant mode of transport in New York City's 19th and early 20th centuries that waned with the advent of bridges and tunnels, eventually leaving only the Staten Island Ferry as a vestige. The modern system, launched in 2017 by then-Mayor Bill de Blasio, aimed to connect residents across the boroughs. Operated by the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), the ferry relies on a unique funding structure combining rent revenues and fares, rather than solely federal and state subsidies. Despite a 2022 audit by the City Comptroller that uncovered significant misreported expenditures and overpayments to its private operator, Hornblower Group, the NYCEDC maintains its financial decisions were sound and used the audit as a "wakeup call." In an effort to boost ridership and reduce per-trip subsidies, the ferry has embraced social media marketing, attracted leisure riders and commuters, and introduced new routes, driving ridership to a record 7.4 million passengers last year. The NYC Ferry is now charting a course for continued growth, aiming to expand to new neighborhoods and further integrate into the city's public transit landscape.

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[VIDEO] The Mets Were Made For The Yankees

2026-09-09T12:00:00-04:00

This video delves into the rich history of New York City baseball, revealing how the modern rivalry between the New York Yankees and New York Mets runs deeper than often perceived. Before the 1950s, New York was home to three major league teams: the Yankees, the Brooklyn Dodgers, and the New York Giants. The Dodgers, representing Brooklyn's working class and notably signing Jackie Robinson to break baseball's color barrier, and the Giants, based in Manhattan, eventually left for California in 1957. This left the Yankees as the sole team, enjoying a period of dominance and winning many World Series. To fill the void and, more importantly, to create an antagonist for the powerhouse Yankees, the Mets were formed in 1962, adopting the colors of the Giants (orange) and Dodgers (blue) as a tribute. The video highlights how the Mets' identity was deliberately built to oppose the Yankees' tradition and intimidation with a chaotic and experimental approach, fostering the "Subway Series" rivalry that continues to this day.

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[REPOST] [WATCH] History of Brownstones in New York

2026-09-07T12:00:00-04:00

People called it brownstone. It came from the quarries of Portland, Connecticut, carried by ships down the Connecticut River, then across the harbor to Manhattan. Builders saw it as modern, elegant, and cheaper than marble. Its soft texture made it easy to carve. Its color gave homes a steady, grounded beauty.

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[WATCH] The Importance of The Empire State Building

2026-09-06T12:00:00-04:00

The Empire State Building is highlighted as a culturally and symbolically significant landmark, having appeared in countless films, commercials, and comic books, thus shaping New York City's identity for generations. Completed in 1931 during the Great Depression in just 410 days, it was once the world's tallest building. The video offers a breathtaking experience of New York from its observation decks and details its intricate ecosystem. It has undergone extensive modernization, becoming one of the most energy-efficient buildings globally while preserving its historic character. The documentary also features insights from experts like Carol Willis from the Skyscraper Museum and author Glenn Kurtz, exploring its construction, the lives of its 'sky boys' (ironworkers), and its enduring status as an architectural beacon.

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[VIDEO] New York's 2nd Avenue Subway Took 100 Years and $6.3B

2026-09-05T12:00:00-04:00

The video delves into the century-long saga of the Second Avenue Subway project in New York City, which ultimately cost $6.3 billion to complete just three stations. Initially proposed in the 1920s, the ambitious undertaking faced numerous setbacks, including the Great Depression and the 1975 New York City fiscal crisis, leading to multiple restarts and abandoned sections. The project's exorbitant costs are attributed to a combination of factors collectively known as the "New York Premium," which includes complex labor agreements, burdensome procurement laws, unforeseen underground utilities, extravagant station designs, federal red tape, administrative overhead, and frequent change orders. Comparing New York's construction expenses to those in cities like London, Paris, and Tokyo reveals that building subway infrastructure in NYC is significantly more expensive per mile. Despite these challenges, Phase 1 delivered functional and well-designed stations at 72nd, 86th, and 96th Streets, but the escalating costs threaten the future expansion plans of the line.

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[WATCH] Walking Spring Street in NYC's SoHo

2026-09-02T12:00:00-04:00

Join tour guide and comedian Tom Delgado for a lively walk down Spring Street in SoHo, exploring its unique architecture, fascinating history, and celebrity connections. Discover a building on Bowery, now home to the Supreme store, which was bought by photographer Jay Mazell for $102,000 in 1966 and sold for $55 million in 2015, having once hosted artists like Roy Lichtenstein. Learn about the street's name, derived from a natural spring, and its past as a commercial and industrial hub due to durable and affordable cast-iron buildings. Tom shares his personal experience living with seven roommates in an illegal loft conversion on nearby Elizabeth Street, leading him to move to Stuyvesant Town. The tour highlights historical sites like Lombardi's Pizzeria, founded by Gennaro Lombardi in 1892, the oldest pizzeria in NYC, and the former NYPD Headquarters, now luxury condos. The route also covers Petrosino Square, named after Joseph Petrosino, the first Italian-American NYPD officer. Experience the changing landscape of Hudson Square, now home to tech and media giants, and glimpse the Holland Tunnel entrance. The walk concludes at the Ear Inn, one of NYC's oldest bars, on the way to the West Side Highway.

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