Many historical monuments exist in New York. These can be found in the streets, parks, and buildings of the city. For example, you will see the Empire State Building, the Fraunces Tavern, and the Warsaw Ghetto wall.
Fraunces Tavern
Fraunces Tavern is one of the oldest buildings in New York City. It is located at 54 Pearl Street in the Financial District of Lower Manhattan. The building was built in 1719.
The tavern was originally a private residence. In 1763, Samuel Fraunces converted it into a tavern. During the Revolutionary War, it served as headquarters for General George Washington.
Fraunces Tavern was also a venue for peace talks with the British after the war. This is where General George Washington bade farewell to his officers on December 4, 1783.
There is a museum at Fraunces Tavern that pays homage to the building’s history. The museum features exhibits about the tavern and early colonial life in New York. Among the items on display are hundreds of letters and artworks from the period.
The museum is open seven days a week. Visitors can take a self-guided tour. Currently, COVID tickets are offered for adults and students for $7, and $4 for seniors.
Empire State Building
The Empire State Building is one of the world’s tallest freestanding structures, standing at 1,454 feet. It is located in Midtown Manhattan. This iconic skyscraper is a landmark in New York City and a popular tourist destination.
Aside from its status as a national landmark, the Empire State Building is also a symbol of New York. The building was built in 1931. After being named the world’s tallest building for forty years, it was replaced by the World Trade Center towers in 1970.
The Empire State Building is located on Fifth Avenue and West 34th Street. This famous Art Deco skyscraper was a testament to the heights of American prosperity in the 20th century.
The facade of the Empire State Building is made of molded stone, topped with stylized eagles. It also features an attic story of two windows.
The 102nd floor observatory offers breathtaking views of the city. There are also various activities for tourists to enjoy. Visitors can go on a 365 day observatory tour or go on a New York SKYRIDE.
Warsaw Ghetto wall
When the Nazis conquered Poland in 1940, they created the Warsaw Ghetto. It was a ghetto designed to imprison Jews until they were forced to die. The Ghetto was enclose by 18 km of brick walls with barbed wire topped on top.
This uprising is known as the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, and it occurred when all hopes of survival had been lost. To commemorate the event, the Central Committee of Polish Jews in Lublin decided to build a monument.
The first memorial was a small circular tablet with a palm leaf on one side and an inscription in Hebrew and Yiddish on the other. Eventually, a second memorial was built.
The second memorial was a much larger structure, and was constructed after the first one was unveiled. This one was made out of Scandinavian basalt, a stone that Albert Speer hoarded for future memorials to Hitler’s victory.
A freestanding monument was also erected in the former ghetto. This monument is two-sided, with the left side representing deportations and the right side representing suffering and death.
Times Square
Times Square is a landmark in Manhattan that is considered to be the center of the Big Apple. This historic monument is located near the intersection of Broadway and Seventh Avenue. Originally called Long Acre Square, the square became a popular meeting place and cultural center in the early twentieth century.
The city’s rapid growth in the twentieth century brought with it many changes in the area. Electric signs, rapid transit, and more open space made the area easier to access.
However, the Great Depression took its toll on Times Square. It was home to theaters that were demolished, and restaurants and bars closed. Drug traffic also made the area dangerous. In 1986, crack cocaine entered the market, leading to a spike in crime.
When New York City’s mayor Rudolph Giuliani cleaned up the area in the 1990s, he was able to preserve the landmark. Today, Times Square is home to many restaurants, bars, museums, and specialty stores.
As a major hub of New York’s entertainment, Times Square is home to some of the greatest theater productions in the world. Theaters in the area include the Paramount, the Broadway Theatre, and the American Theatre.