NYC trivia

DID YOU KNOW?

Where does the name "Manhattan" come from?

The name Manhattan derives from the Lenape language 'manaháhtaan'.
A 1610 map depicts the name as Manna-hata, etymologies include "island of many hills", "the island where we all became intoxicated" or simply "island"

Why does the steam rise from the vents on the streets?

Almost as representative of New York City as skyscrapers—though probably not as iconic—are the plumes of steam rising from beneath the ground.
Con Edison operates the world’s largest network of underground steam pipes. The network runs 105 miles, delivering steam to buildings throughout the city. The company has five power plants throughout New York, where massive boilers produce steam that gets carried out of the plants, beneath the ground.
It’s vapor from when water, or other sources of liquid, falls onto the pipes and evaporates. (Remember, there is 350-degree steam traveling through those pipes)
A network of steam pipes isn’t unique to NYC, but its sheer size is pretty extraordinary. It’s bigger than the next nine largest steam systems combined

Why there is garbage on the streets of NYC?

In 1811 city was planned in a "grid" which created regular pattern of of streets divided into even lots (25 by 100 ft.) Each lot would align with the neighbors with no room for carriageways or service alleys to allow for bigger lots.
As a side effect for the lack of space between alleys, there is no place to put garbage, but on the street...

When did the fire escapes become a part of NYC streetscape?

In 1867 the legislature passed the Tenement House Act which mandated improvements to the tenements which included mandatory fire escapes.
It gave apartments 2 exits: through the front door and through the fire escape.

What are those wooden cisterns on top of the buildings?

They are - water towers
As buildings grew taller than 6 stories, the main water infrastructure couldn’t handle the water pressure. Water towers were needed to move water safely to the 7th floor and above.
Most structures taller than six stories need some sort of water tower and pump system of their own.
Water is fed to buildings through pipes in the basement.
Electric pumps push the water from the basement to roof.
They are still very much in use today.
About 15,000 buildings still use this system today.

NYC is located on the same latitude as Madrid, Yerevan, Baku

NYC was the first capital of the USA

It was the capital from 1785 to 1790, before moving to a temporary location in Philadelphia

The first act of civil disobedience in NYC - Astor Place Riots

Astor Place Opera house opened in 1847 and was a subscription-only theater for the city elites.
In 1849 British actor William Macready was performing Macbeth in Astor Place Opera House while Amierican Edwin Forrest was playing the same role at the Bowery theater downtown.
Artistic rivalry turned political, aka England vs America and wealthy vs working class, and ended with a riot. A crowd of over 10,000 people gathered in front of the theater equipped with stones. The first time in American history a military unit was asked to control the crowd in peacetime.
Many people were injured and 18 had been killed