New York History

It is said that New York was discovered in 1524 by a navigator from France, but parts of New York had been inhabited for centuries before that time by native peoples like the Iroquois.

1625 was the year that Manhattan was purchased from by the Dutch. In 1663 the Duke of York purchased some of the outer islands, and then two years later took possession of more land. He named the land the Province of New York for himself.

During the 1700's in New York the Sons of Liberty were very active. There was a committee formed which sent delegates to the Second Continental Congress in which they voted for independence. Because of this vote in July, 1776, New York became a state. The following year a Constitution of New York was completed.

New York wasn't admitted into the union until 1788 as the 11th state. At this time they ratified the federal United States Constitution. In January of 1797 Albany became the state capital. Events of considerable interest in the 1800's would be the completion of the Erie Canal in 1825 and the Statue of Liberty being erected in 1886.

During the 1900's New York saw the stock market crash in 1929, but it was also the site of the World's Fair in 1939 and again in 1964. New York was also chosen to be the headquarters for the United Nations in 1946. Today New York remains one of the most populous and influential states in the union, and New York City is one of the biggest and most visited cities in the world.