New York City happens to be one of the world’s greatest tourist attractions and a premier business destination. We read so much about this place but how much do we really know about its history? The history of New York City goes back to prehistoric times from which for a long time this peculiar area was inhabited by the Lenapes. Giovanni da Verrazano was the first European explorer to enter the city’s harbor, but soon enough this great sailor sailed back into the Atlantic after naming this place New Angouleme in honor of the French king Francis I. But mapping of this place took place only when Henry Hudson, an Englishman employed by the Dutch East India Company came here. He is the man who is behind the discovery of the Manhattan Island and the river that we now know as the Hudson River. In the formative years, the history of New York City was underlined and defined by the settlement of Dutch people in the area.

During the period 1665 to 1783, the city was mostly inhabited by the British and the area witnessed political rebellions, and after Royal authority was restored in 1691 the principle that people could choose their own leader, was established. New York City assumed its present importance when it was named the capital of the newly- formed United States on September 13, 1788. After this the city saw great changes and it gradually changed into a flourishing economic center.

The early twentieth century observed major changes in the structure of this city. It started with the consolidation of the five boroughs into one city. Several municipalities were founded and new transportation links were created. The new city was more congregated by the establishment of the New York City Subway that opened in 1904. Despite the famous phase of Depression that descended upon the city, the 1930’s saw the construction of some of the most famous sky- scrapers in the world here.

From the post World War II period there has been no looking back and presently this hub of commercial activities is regarded as the center of the worldwide commercial industry. The past few decades has constantly seen the influx of immigrants from all across, people who are passionate for the kind of life New York offers. The phenomenon known as the “dot com boom” has been instrumental in solidifying the economy and making it more viable than ever before. Despite suffering a setback on September 11, 2001 in the form of the worst terrorist attack of the century, New York City has bounced back to its original form and is proving to be an inspiration for many all around the globe.