Famous New Yorkers
Rosie O'Donnell: The Queen of Nice is the middle of five siblings. She always wanted to be an actress. She's been in several movies and once hosted her own talk show.
Sarah Michelle Gellar: Born in New York City, Sarah began her acting career when she was four. One of several movies she's been in is I Know What You Did Last Summer and she stared in Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Tom Cruise: Tom, who was born in Syracuse, wanted to become a wrestler but a knee injury stopped him. Instead, he headed to the city and gave himself 10 years to make it as an actor. Since then, he's been cruising from one star role to another.
Brief History of New York
The Italian navigator Giovanni da Verazano discovered New York Bay in 1524. Henry Hudson also reached the bay 84 years later and sailed up the river. Several years afterwards it is said that Manhattan Island was bought from the Indians for trinkets worth about $24. The Dutch made the state of New York their home in 1624 and for 40 years they were in charge of the colony they called New Netherland. The English took it from them in 1664 and named it New York after the Duke of York. The state was a colony of Great Britain until it became independent on July 4, 1776.
The Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty (a gift from France) was put up in the harbor in 1886. She has America's mission written on her: "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free." New York is one of the wealthiest states and after the New York Stock Exchange started it became the center of world finance. New York State has 62 counties, 62 cities, 553 villages and 932 towns.
New York - Did U Know?
- The apple has been the State fruit since 1976. In the 1600s European settlers brought apple seeds with them to New York.
- New York was the first state to require license plates on automobiles.
- New Yorkers produce about 26,400,000 pounds of garbage a day.
New York Critters
Eastern Bluebird: Blue in color like the name says, this bird is the state bird.
Mink: When this animal is wet it looks like a smaller version of its cousin, the otter.
Opossum: Although this nocturnal animal is not considered the smartest of animals it does have a knack for survival. The Virginia opossum is North America's only marsupial.
Cool Things to See and Do in New York
- The Bronx Zoo is the largest zoo in North America and has over 6000 animals including snow leopards, American bison, Chinese alligators and pink pigeons.
- Go to Niagara Falls! Besides checking out the magnificent falls, there's tons of other things to see - the Daredevil Museum of Niagara Falls, Whirlpool State Park, Ransomville Speedway and Airborne Adventures. You won't be bored here.
