The Spirit of New York, livre ebook

Winner of the 2016 Award for Merit presented by the American Association for State and Local History
In this lively and engaging book, Bruce W. Dearstyne presents New York State history by exploring sixteen dramatic events. From the launch of the state government in April 1777 to the tragedy of September 11, 2001, these events altered the course of state and US history. Chapters describe great political changes, historical turning points, and struggles for social, racial, and environmental reform. The book includes daring acts of courage and against-the-odds stories of struggle and triumph. Dearstyne puts the fascinating people who made history at the center of the story, including John Jay, the lead writer of the first state constitution; Elizabeth Cady Stanton, the irrepressible crusader for women's rights; Glenn Curtiss, New York's aviation pioneer; and Robert Moses, controversial president of the 1964 New York World's Fair. This book makes history come alive. The momentous events illustrate the "spirit" of New York—the elusive traits that make New York State unique and a leader among the fifty states—and the complexity of its history.
List of Illustrations
Acknowledgments
Introduction
1. April 22, 1777: New York State Begins
2. February 4, 1826: Fiction Trumps History
3. July 4, 1839: The Farmers’ Rebellion
4. July 20, 1848: A Demand for Equal Rights
5. October 1, 1851: Striking a Blow for Freedom
6. March 30, 1899: Pollution and Politics
7. April 15, 1903: Intervening for the Children
8. May 29, 1910: First in the Air
9. March 25 and 29, 1911: Fires Change History
10. February 14, 1924: Leading into the Information Age
11. April 15, 1947: Breaking the Color Line
12. June 24, 1954: A New Enterprise for Moving around New York
13. April 22, 1964: The World’s Fair Opens in New York
14. August 2, 1978: Environmental Crisis and Citizen Activism
15. September 11, 2001: New York’s Resilence
Bibliography
About the Author
Index