On 2 February 1653, the Dutch colony of New Amsterdam was formally granted city rights, marking the beginning of its evolution into one of the world's greatest metropolises.
Initially established as a fur trading post by the Dutch West India Company, the settlement at the southern tip of Manhattan Island flourished into a bustling hub of commerce and culture.
However, its Dutch identity was short-lived—just over a decade later, in 1664, the British seized control and rechristened it New York in honour of the Duke of York.
This transformation laid the foundation for a city that would become an emblem of immigration, innovation, and ambition, shaping the course of American and global history.
