Tucked away in Brooklyn, New York, Coney Island has stood as a pillar of fun and originality in American culture from the late 1800s. A mix of historical significance, amusement, and offbeat charm marks this famous spot. Renowned for its thrilling amusement parks and beachside attractions, it’s packed with unexpected stories, including being the birthplace… Read More »
Judaism ranks as the second most prevalent religion in New York City, boasting a Jewish community larger than the combined populations of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. This vibrant metropolis is home to a diverse array of Jewish traditions, including the Hasidic, Modern Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform movements. New York City’s Jewish heritage can be traced… Read More »
The Blackout Cake, also known as the Brooklyn Blackout Cake, is a delectable chocolate dessert consisting of a rich chocolate cake filled with creamy chocolate pudding and adorned with chocolate cake crumbles. This scrumptious treat traces its origins back to World War II when it was created by Ebinger’s, a well-known Brooklyn bakery. The cake… Read More »
In Times Square in New York City, the tradition of dropping a ball to mark the start of the New Year has been a longstanding tradition. The first ball drop was held on December 31, 1907, and it has been a staple of New Year’s Eve celebrations in Times Square ever since. The ball is… Read More »
When Ozone gas was first identified in 1840 its harmful effects were not widely understood – it was associated with fresh air and recuperative properties. In 1882, a businessman coined the name Ozone Park (NY) to promote the area’s proximity to “fresh tonic ocean air”. The post When Ozone gas was first identified… appeared first… Read More »
The vast majority of “Push to Walk” buttons at intersections and “Close Door” buttons in elevators are disabled and only exist to give the illusion of control. In NYC, less than 10% of walk buttons are still even connected to the power grid. The post The vast majority of “Push to Walk” buttons…. appeared first… Read More »
The Statue of Liberty almost wasn’t built in New York because the governor wouldn’t use city funds to build its pedestal, but Joseph Pulitzer’s newspaper articles inspired 160,000 people to donate. Though a majority of donations were less than $1, they raised over $100,000 in just five months. The post The Statue of Liberty almost… Read More »
There is a wire called an eruv that hangs above Manhattan encircling much of the borough, acting as a symbolic boundary that turns the public streets into a private space, much like one’s own home that allows Jewish people to move about freely without having to worry about breaking Jewish law. The post There is… Read More »
The Brooklyn Dodgers name stems from a nickname given in the 1890s to people who, in a matter of life and death, had to evade railcars speeding down the streets. They were known as trolley dodgers. Trolleys were new inventions, which led to two issues. First, cities lacked the safety infrastructure which protects pedestrians today… Read More »