5 Fun Facts About New York City

From which country was the Statue of Liberty a gift to the United States?

The Statue of Liberty, officially titled 'Liberty Enlightening the World,' was a gift from the people of France to the United States. Designed by sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and engineered by Gustave Eiffel, it was dedicated on October 28, 1886.

Which two landscape architects are credited with designing New York City's Central Park?

Central Park was designed by landscape architects Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, whose 'Greensward Plan' won a design competition in 1858. Construction of the park began in 1857 and it was largely completed by 1876.

In what year was the Brooklyn Bridge officially opened to the public?

The iconic Brooklyn Bridge, connecting Manhattan and Brooklyn across the East River, officially opened to the public on May 24, 1883. At the time, it was the longest suspension bridge in the world.

The first regularly operated line of the New York City Subway system opened in which year?

The first regularly operated line of the New York City Subway, run by the Interborough Rapid Transit Company (IRT), began service on October 27, 1904. It initially ran from City Hall to 145th Street in Manhattan.

How long did it take to construct the Empire State Building, from start to finish?

The Empire State Building, an Art Deco skyscraper in Midtown Manhattan, was constructed at an astonishing speed, taking only 13 months to complete between 1930 and 1931.