Investigating the origins of American words, names, quotations and phrases. Over 38,000 entries.
"Ladies and Gentleman, the Bronx is burning" is the title of a 2005 book. It's from a alleged quote by the late Howard Cosell during a World Series game on October 12, 1977. The…
JAMS (the Jamaica Arts and Music Summer Festival - shouldn't that be JAMSF?) began in 1996-97. It takes place on Jamaica Avenue in Queens. http://www.clearviewfestival.com/Saturday, August…
The Ecuadorian Parade and Festival has taken place in Queens since 1984. http://www.citylore.org/cl_cel-aug.htmlEcuadorian Parade and FestivalQueensEarly-mid August, daylongFlushing Meadows-Corona…
"Loco foco" matches were named that in New York City in the early 1930s. The Loco-Foco Party (now the Democratic Party) was named from the matches in 1835. See the last article below for…
"To the victor belongs the spoils" is the famous quote by New York Senator William Learned Marcy (1786-1857), recited in the U. S. Senate, 25 January 1832. The "spoils system"…
The Working Families Party is a new political party, formed in 1998 by Democrats and a coalition of unions. To its enemies it's been dubbed the "Wrecking Families Party" (cited in…
The annual Mayor's Cup Handball Tournament began in 1995. It's sponsored by the Inner City Handball Association and the United States Handball Association.…
Netball is a sport that's like basketball. The Manhattan International Netball Club was established in 2000, and the first Big Apple Netball Tournament was played in 2005.…
"Open House New York" began in 2003 and was modeled after a similar event held in London. People are invited to New York spaces normally off-limits to the general public.…
The annual Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival features a race of the dragon boats. The event has taken place in Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens since 1991. The 2006 Hong Kong Dragon Boat…
The annual New York Ship & Boat Model Festival is held at the South Street Seaport. See:http://www.southstseaport.org/pdf/ship&boatmodel.pdf…
Several events are called "Blessing of the Fleet." http://www.brooklyntourism.org/calendar.htmlBayFest/Blessing of the FleetEmmons Avenue & E. 27th Street. Sheepshead Bay, Sunday, May…
Judge Crater disappeared on August 6, 1930. A long search for him was fruitless. Crater was called "the most missingest man" in New York. However, in August 2005, new details of his…
The Fifth Avenue Mile is sponsored by New York Road Runners. Since 1981, it's been run for one mile down Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. The popular race has had various sponsorships, including…
The annual New York Underground Comedy Festival was started in 2003 by George Sarris. http://www.theatermania.com/content/show.cfm/show/112607The 3rd Annual NYC Underground Comedy FestivalBack…
The annual United American Muslim Day Parade takes place the last week in September. http://www.mfainc.net/Muslim Foundation of America, (MFA) Inc. For Immediate Release On Sunday September 25,…
Brazilian Day celebrates Brazil's independence and is held the first week in September. http://thebrasiliansonline.com/brazilfest/main/program.htmlDate: Sunday, September 4, 2005Open 11 a.m.…
9-11-2001 was a national tragedy. Several events are held on the anniversary of that day. One Day's Pay has organized a National Day of Voluntary Service, Charity and Compassion.…
Street food vendors are finally getting their due with the "Vendy Awards." How about "negative" Vendy Awards for the really bad ones?…
The New Yorker Festival started in 2000 simply as a 75th anniversary celebration of the magazine, The New Yorker. It's become an annual event since then. The event celebrates everything that…