XYZ Buildings
The "XYZ Buildings" are the three big boxes near Rockefeller Center on the Avenue of the Americas (Sixth Avenue). Architecture critic Paul Goldberger wrote that they'll never be…
Black Car
The "yellow cab" takes street hails; the "black car" does not. Many executives have used a "black car" service, if only to the airport. The color of the vehicle is…
Landlord of Last Resort (New York City)
New York City has taken control of much abandoned property. City government is called "the landlord of last resort." It appears that this was coined by George Meany in 1967 to describe…
“Difference between NYC Council and rubber stamp is that a rubber stamp leaves an impression”
Henry Stern was a former New York City Councilman and Parks Commissioner and now runs NY Civic (www.nycivic.org). He said, some time in the 1960s, that the New York City Council was less than a…
Salute to Israel
Many "salutes to Israel" occurred in 1948 with the formation of the Jewish state. The programs held in New York City were particularly important in the formation of the modern state of…
Steuben Day Parade
The Steuben Day Parade in September celebrates German Americans, in honor of the Revolutionary War hero. General Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben had been honored by New York State and had been the…
Pulaski Day Parade
The Pulaski Day Parade, held each October, is the celebration for Polish Americans. Count Casimir Pulaski served under General George Washington and helped establish America's first cavalry.…
Dominican Day Parade
The Dominican Day Parade began as a small celebration in Washington Heights in 1982. Now, it's held each August on Fifth Avenue and is one of New York's largest ethnic parades.…
Puerto Rican Day Parade
New York held a Puerto Rican Day Parade in 1958, and it's since become national, held in other American cities. In 1998, it was featured in an episode of the television show Seinfeld, for…
Skee-Ball
Remember Skee-Ball? From Coney Island, right? Maybe you've played it recently at a street fair? Actually, the game comes from Philadelphia, but that doesn't mean that Coney Island…
U. S. Open (tennis)
The U. S. Open (tennis) did not begin in New York, and it can probably be played anywhere in the United States. However, the first modern U. S. Open was held at the West Side Tennis Club in Forest…
“Wait ‘til next year!” (Brooklyn Dodgers)
The old Brooklyn Dodger chant (from when they were, barely, "still in the league") was "wait 'til next year." This phrase pre-dates the nickname "Trolley Dodgers"…
Gay Pride Week (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender PRIDE March; Moment of Silence)
"Gay Pride Week," held every June, is one of New York's most important festivals because it literally grew from New York itself. It commemorates the famous Stonewall Inn riots of…
Harlem Week
"Harlem Week" began as "Harlem Day" in 1975. It became "Harlem Week" in 1977. The annual festival takes place in August. There was also a "Harlem Week" given…
River-to-River Festival
The River-to-River Festival began in 2002. Like the annual Tribeca Film Festival, it's another attempt to revitalize the downtown area after the tragedy of September 11, 2001. 13 May 2002, PR…
NYC Grand Prix (at Icahn Stadium)
The June 2005 Reebok Grand Prix at the new Icahn Stadium on Randall's Island is the stadium's first international track & field competition. It looks like the Grand Prix will be an…
Millrose Games & Wanamaker Mile
The Millrose Games is Madison Square Garden's longest-running sporting event, since 1908. The Millrose features the Wanamaker Mile, named after department store merchant Rodman Wanamaker.…
Heeler (Tammany Hall politics)
The ward "heeler" was a feature of corrupt Tammany Hall politics in New York City in the 19th century. The political boss had you under his heel. This is not to be confused with a…
Flatiron District (Flatiron Building)
The "Flatiron District" gets its name from a single building in its district the Flatiron Building (1902, formerly the Fuller Brush Building). The buiding is triangular in shape, like a…
Gold Coast
"Gold Coast" is used more often in Chicago than it is in New York. Here, it's the upper east side, along the Museum Mile. Or the "Gold Coast" can be the upper west side.…