Buzz
New York City is arguably the most legendary metropolis in the world, a center of culture and business, embodying a mix of harshness and beauty, a melting pot of ethnicities, and a symbol of the American dream. Here, you can see the very skyscraper from which King Kong plummeted, the global headquarters of the United Nations, and the Statue of Liberty, extending a welcoming hand to the world's weary and poor, offering refuge to the masses from every corner of the Earth. Yet, there are still many hidden stories of New York that remain largely untold.
10. The Parrots of Brooklyn
Though New York isn't typically recognized for its wildlife, unless you count rats and pigeons, the city is home to an unexpected variety of creatures, including turtles, raccoons, frogs, and many bird species. Among the more unusual inhabitants, the quaker parrot stands out. Native to South America, this vibrant green bird has taken residence in Brooklyn. The origin of these parrots remains unclear; some believe they were released by a closing pet shop, while others speculate they escaped from the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens. A common theory is that a shipment of birds from South America, destined for the pet trade, was accidentally opened at JFK Airport. While these parrots can be spotted throughout Brooklyn, the most famous sighting is on the power lines above the athletic field at Brooklyn College.
9. The Artistic Heist of the Century
In 1974, Philippe Petit, a daring Frenchman, committed what became known as the 'artistic crime of the century.' He performed an audacious tightrope walk between the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center, a distance of 61 meters (200 feet), perched more than 400 meters (1,300 feet) above the bustling streets below.
This wasn't a spontaneous stunt; it was the result of years of meticulous planning. Petit, disguised as a construction worker or office employee, secretly infiltrated the towers for research, even forging ID cards and conducting aerial reconnaissance. On the fateful morning of August 7, he and his accomplices used a bow and arrow to progressively send larger ropes across the gap, eventually setting up the steel cable that Petit would walk on for a mesmerizing 45 minutes, making eight crossings back and forth. His performance was captivating as he ran, bounced, sat on the wire, and even curtsied to the police officers who gathered on the rooftops below.
Eventually, Petit was alerted to an approaching helicopter, and the rain forced him to surrender. The stunt brought much-needed positive attention to the newly completed World Trade Center, which had previously been seen as an eyesore. In exchange for a community service act—performing a high-wire walk over Turtle Pond in Central Park—the charges against Petit were dropped. Since then, he has written several books and performed worldwide, including more than a dozen times in New York City.
8. Topless Women
In the past, Times Square in Manhattan was a chaotic hub of adult entertainment, featuring peep shows, strip clubs, and adult video stores. While only a few of these establishments remain today, you no longer need to visit one of these venues to see some skin—it's completely legal for women to go topless in New York City. This right was established by a landmark decision in 1992, when the New York Supreme Court modified penal law 245.01, which pertains to public indecency, allowing women to walk shirtless just like men. Though it's a rare sight, the city has recently reminded its police force that exposed breasts are not a crime. Every year, hundreds of women gather in Central Park for International Go Topless Day, a lively event that always attracts a crowd.
7. The Elevator Ride From Hell
New York's iconic skyline owes its existence to the elevator; without this invention, skyscrapers would have been unfeasible. Despite the frequent portrayal of elevator disasters in movies and TV, elevators are generally very safe. However, they can sometimes malfunction, and it’s not uncommon for one to get stuck. Typically, the issue is minor and resolved quickly. But in 1999, New Yorker Nicholas White experienced a terrifying ordeal when the elevator he was in became trapped for an excruciating 41 hours.
White, employed as a production manager for *Business Week* in the McGraw-Hill Building at Rockefeller Center, was working late one Friday evening when he decided to take a break for a cigarette. After riding the elevator down, he stepped outside for a smoke, and when he attempted to return to the 43rd floor, his elevator became stuck. White tried using the intercom and activated the alarm, expecting security to intervene. However, no one came. He began pacing in frustration, burning through his cigarettes. After some time, he pried open the elevator doors only to be confronted by a solid cinder block wall. Eventually, he had no choice but to urinate into the elevator shaft.
As time passed, White finally lay down on the dirty carpet, hoping for some assistance. With no rescue in sight, he tried to access the escape hatch at the top of the elevator, but it was locked. Hours turned into an agonizing blur, and he completely lost track of time. Eventually, a security guard discovered him, and he was freed Sunday afternoon, 41 hours after the ordeal began. The fast-forwarded footage of White’s harrowing experience became a viral sensation on YouTube, amassing over eight million views.
White resigned from his position and filed a $25 million lawsuit against the building and the elevator company. After years of legal battles, he reached a settlement for a much smaller, undisclosed amount, reportedly in the low six figures. In hindsight, White has expressed regret about leaving his job. As of 2010, he was reportedly employed at a sporting goods store.
6. The Hole
New York City is famous for its overwhelming population density, with people packed into towering buildings, resembling a beehive. While real estate prices are shockingly high, the city still has some neglected corners. One such area is located in Ozone Park, Queens, the neighborhood of notorious Gambino crime boss John 'Teflon Don' Gotti. Known as 'The Hole,' this sunken area is not part of the New York sewer system and is prone to frequent flooding. Residents who live here must keep boats to get around. Even more disturbing, this patch of land has served as a burial ground for the Gambino family. During an investigation into the disappearance of John Favara, a neighbor who vanished after accidentally hitting Gotti’s son with his car, the FBI uncovered the skeletal remains of mobsters.
5. Crime
In the 1970s, 1980s, and early 1990s, New York City was infamous for its high crime rates. Only the daring, the insane, or the severely drug-addicted would risk venturing into places like Central Park after dark. The subways were covered in graffiti and plagued by violence. During the height of the crack cocaine epidemic in 1992, there were 2,154 murders in the city. By 2012, that number had dropped to 414, with expectations for 2013 to see even fewer.
So what caused this dramatic decline? There are countless theories, ranging from advancements in computerized policing techniques to the decrease in crack cocaine usage. Some even argue more controversial explanations, such as the legalization of abortion, which they believe helped prevent a generation of potentially abused and neglected children from entering the population. Another hypothesis suggests that bans on lead in paint and gasoline, substances known to cause developmental issues in children, may have played a role in the reduction of crime.
Whatever the cause, the city's inhabitants are thankful, as now dog walkers and families can enjoy spaces that were once controlled by gangs and drug dealers.
4. Ota Benga
The Bronx Zoo, a renowned leader in its field, houses nearly 4,000 animals from 650 different species. Among the popular exhibits today are the Congo Gorilla Forest, the Wild Asia Monorail, and Tiger Mountain. However, back in 1906, the zoo drew attention for a controversial display known as 'The Missing Link.' This exhibit featured Ota Benga, a Congolese pygmy. Ota’s life was tragically marked by the slaughter of his family and his purchase from African slave traders to be shown in America. His stay at the zoo was brief, as public outrage led the zoo to release him. He then spent time at an orphanage, was somewhat integrated into American society, and worked in a tobacco factory. When the outbreak of World War I prevented his return to Congo, Ota Benga built a ceremonial fire and tragically took his own life at the age of 32.
19. 9/11's Lone Homicide
September 11, 2001, was a day of unfathomable destruction in New York. The usual city energy was replaced by a haunting stillness as stunned residents glued themselves to their television screens. Yet that night, another tragedy would unfold in Brooklyn, one that would be forever overshadowed by the collapse of the towers in Manhattan. Polish immigrant Henryk Siwiak left his apartment to begin a new job, mopping floors at a Pathmark supermarket. Having lost his job back home, he had moved to the United States to provide for his family, sending money back to his wife and two children.
Unfamiliar with the city, Henryk sought help from his landlady to find the location of his new job. Unfortunately, she directed him to the wrong address in the dangerous Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood. Although no witnesses came forward, several people later reported hearing gunshots. A blood trail suggested that Siwiak climbed a stoop and rang a doorbell in search of assistance. But after hearing the shots, no one answered. He stumbled back down the stairs, collapsed on the sidewalk, and died. His body was found with over $70 in cash, which remained untouched. In an unfamiliar neighborhood where no one had a reason to harm him, the motive for his murder is still a mystery.
With almost the entire police force diverted to Manhattan, the investigation into Siwiak's murder was only briefly examined. Instead of the usual forensic Crime Scene Unit dispatched to homicides, only an evidence collection team (typically responding to nonfatal crimes like burglaries) was sent to the scene. More than ten years later, the police have made no progress in solving the mystery of Henryk Siwiak’s death.
2. Linguistic Diversity
New York is often referred to as a cultural melting pot, with more than 30% of its population born abroad, especially in Queens. The city is renowned for its linguistic variety, with over 800 languages spoken. Some of these are incredibly rare, such as Garifuna, a blend of African, West Indian, and South American indigenous languages. As many of these languages face extinction, the City University of New York has launched the Endangered Language Alliance to protect rare languages like Bukhari, Vhlaski, and Ormuri.
1. Walmart
By 2013, Walmart had become the largest corporation in the world by revenue, surpassing even major oil companies like Exxon Mobil and Saudi Aramco. With around 9,000 locations globally, Walmart has a significant presence in all 50 U.S. states. Yet, you won’t find one of these massive stores in any of New York's five boroughs. Their exceptional bulk buying power could offer unbeatable prices, particularly helpful for lower-income New Yorkers. However, New York's highly unionized workforce clashes with Walmart's refusal to allow unions, resulting in multiple failed attempts to open stores in Queens, Staten Island, and Brooklyn. Harold Lee Scott Jr., former CEO of Walmart, publicly stated, “I don’t care if we are ever here. I don’t think it’s worth the effort.”
