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The Dark and Forgotten History of Italian Immigration I bet You Didn’t Know

The Dark and Forgotten History of Italian Immigration I bet You Didn’t Know

I have been doing lectures, giving tours, and teaching classes at universities for over two decades, and to my disappointment,...
Who planned, funded, and built the tenements of NYC?

Who planned, funded, and built the tenements of NYC?

Historical Context: Urbanization and the Demand for Housing The Lower East Side’s transformation into a dense immigrant enclave began in...
The History of NYC Bodegas

The History of NYC Bodegas

Bodegas are instantly recognizable: hand-painted signage—often yellow with red lettering—and handwritten signs advertising Lotto or bottled water. The windows adorned...
Black, Puerto Rican, and Chinese Mutual Aid Movements of the Lower East Side

Black, Puerto Rican, and Chinese Mutual Aid Movements of the Lower East Side

1. Black Mutual Aid on the Lower East Side (1800s–1970s) Long before the Great Migration brought Southern Black families to...
The Origins of Chinese New Year Celebrations in NYC

The Origins of Chinese New Year Celebrations in NYC

Ancient Origins The origins of Chinese New Year stretch back over 3,500 years to the Shang Dynasty (c. 1600–1046 BCE)....
How NYC Pigeons Got a Bad Rap

How NYC Pigeons Got a Bad Rap

How NYC pigeons went from revered companions to "rats with wings," their rich history, role in the city, and why...
Top 5 Myths About the American Mafia

Top 5 Myths About the American Mafia

Myth #1: There is no “Mafia” in America Well, technically, that is true. There is Italian-American organized crime, but there...
The Rise and Fall of NYC’s Elevated Trains

The Rise and Fall of NYC’s Elevated Trains

The End of Elevated Trains in New York City: A Turning Point in Transit History Elevated railroads, or "els," once...
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