Manhattan

Why was Manhattan Island called “New Orange” for a short time? Manhattan. The very name conjures images of towering skyscrapers, bustling streets, and a vibrant cultural scene. We’re standing at the heart of this iconic borough, a place that has witnessed centuries of history unfold, from its humble beginnings as a Native American trading post to its current status as a global powerhouse. Manhattan officially came into being in 1624 as a Dutch fur trading settlement. But the island’s story began long before that. The Lenape people called this island home, naming it Manna-hata, “the place where we get bows,” for the abundance of hickory trees used in bowmaking. In 1626, Peter Minuit, representing the Dutch West India Company, supposedly purchased the island for 60 guilders worth of trade goods. This transaction, though often romanticized as a $24 deal, actually involved goods worth much more. Manhattan then became New Amsterdam, a bustling Dutch colonial hub. But the British had their eyes on this strategic port, and in 1664, they took control, renaming it New York after the Duke of York. A little over a decade later, in 1673, the Dutch briefly recaptured the city, this time calling it New Orange, after William of Orange. The name didn’t stick. The Treaty of Westminster returned the city to English hands just a year later, and it has remained New York ever since. Manhattan’s strategic location made it a key player in the American Revolution. It was here that George Washington was inaugurated as the first U.S. president in 1789 at Federal Hall. This same building was also where the US Supreme Court first met and the Bill of Rights was drafted. The 19th century brought explosive growth. The opening of the Erie Canal in 1825 cemented Manhattan’s status as a vital commercial center, connecting the Atlantic port to the agricultural heartland of North America. The island adopted the now-familiar grid layout in 1811, though Broadway, originally a Native American trail, famously defies the grid’s structure. By 1898, Manhattan was officially designated a borough of the newly consolidated New York City. The 20th century saw Manhattan transform into the global icon we know today. The subway, opening in 1904, connected the rapidly expanding city. Skyscrapers pierced the sky, with iconic structures like the Empire State Building and Chrysler Building becoming symbols of ambition and progress. Tragedy struck on September 11, 2001, with the destruction of the World Trade Center. But from the ashes arose One World Trade Center, a testament to the city’s resilience. Now a symbol of hope and remembrance stands where those iconic towers once stood. Manhattan. From Lenape hunting grounds to Dutch trading post, from British colony to American metropolis, this small island has played an outsized role in shaping the world.