that Coney Island was given its name in the 17th Century because at that time it was a grassy island that had a large population of rabbits (which were called coneys in old dialect).
that the Brooklyn Bridge opened for traffic at 2PM on May 24, 1883, after about 13 years of construction. Visitors initially paid a 1 cent toll on opening day, and 2 cents after opening day.
that Williamsburg was named after Colonel Jonathan Williams, a U.S. engineer (and grand-nephew to Benjamin Franklin) who surveyed the area.
that Kings Highway was an ancient trail used by the Canarsee Indians long before European settlers arrived.
that New York City has 722 miles of subway tracks.
that Central Park covers a larger area than the principality of Monaco.
that the first public brewery in America was established by Peter Minuit at the Market (Marckvelt) field in lower Manhattan.
that when the Harlem ship canal was being dug, a workman discovered the tusk of a prehistoric Mastodon, twelve feet beneath present-day Broadway and 14th Street.
that Staten Island residents voted to secede from the city in 1993, but such a move would require state approval.
that the amusement parks and rides at the 1939 World's Fair in Flushing Meadow Park, Queens inspired Walt Disney to create Disney World.
DID YOU KNOW...