The City that Never Sleeps

The Dutch first explored the area that became New York City in 1609 under the direction of Henry Hudson. Hudson was attempting to discover the Northwest Passage but instead he found an opportunity for the lucrative beaver pelt trade. 

It wasn't until 1624 that the Dutch began to settle in the area. In 1625, Fort Amsterdam was established on Long Island to protect the Dutch settlers from attack by other colonial powers. 

The Dutch maintained their settlement and control of the area for only 40 years, until 1664 when the English, a greater colonial power in the New World, demanded New Amsterdam be turned over to the crown. And with that, New "York" came to be. 

Under British rule, New York City grew as a trading port. From there, NYC grew in importance: freedom of the press was nurtured here, the city was the new nation's capital for a time and it was a major point of entrance for immigrants. 

Today, NYC is known around the world because it is home to the United Nations, Wall Street, the major financial district in the United States (and the world), Broadway, and New York City is the most populous city in America. The Big Apple!