The Spirit of New York: Defining Events in the Empire State's History (Excelsior Editions)

Presents New York history in a fresh way through sixteen dramatic events. 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 womens rights; Glenn Curtiss, New Yorks aviation pioneer; and Robert Moses, controversial president of the 1964 New York Worlds Fair. This book makes history come alive. The momentous events illustrate the spirit of New Yorkthe elusive traits that make New York State unique and a leader among the fifty statesand the complexity of its history. Bruce Dearstynes beautifully written and thoroughly researched biography of New York opens new vistas for understanding the enormous impact the state has had on American history writ large. With attention to and sensitivity toward geographical, ethnic, economic, and ecological diversity, the book offers an important new explanation of why New York has been able to meet so many of its challenges with dynamism and creativity. It also shows how ego and self-interest have sometimes gotten in the way, balancing the determined problem solving that is often seen as a hallmark of the state with a true account of rises and falls, booms and busts, and vision and drift that are equally a part of its spirit. Louise Mirrer, President and CEO, New-York Historical Society Bruce Dearstyne brings a fine narrative style and superb storytelling to The Spirit of New York . Readers will learn about New York politics, the states role in racial conflict, recasting the role of women in New York, and far more. The book is about the people of New York responding individually and collectively to the opportunities, problems, and tragedies that have punctuated the history of the Empire State from its beginnings to the present. Warren Roberts, author of A Place in Albany in the Age of Revolution, 17751825 This book offers a fascinating odyssey through New Yorks past by using examples of its national leadership, ranging from the states early womens rights movements to Jackie Robinsons historic integration of major league baseball, and from aviation pioneer Glenn Curtis to the construction of a landmark superhighway, the New York State Thruway. Dearstyne presents fresh insight into several salient events that made New York the Empire State. In doing so, he comes as close to a recent general history of the state as currently exists. F. Daniel Larkin, State University of New York at Oneonta. Contents Acknowledgments Introduction 1. April 22, 1777: New York State Begins From Reluctant Rebels to Constitutional Statesmen “A Choice of Dishes” The New State in Action 2. February 4, 1826: Fiction Trumps History An Unlikely Author, a Bestselling Book The Last of the Mohicans and the Historical Record The Historical Hold of The Last of the Mohicans The Last of the Mohicans’ Influence on History 3. July 4, 1839: The Farmers’ Rebellion A New Declaration of Independence An Archaic Land System The Helderberg War The State Equivocates Escalating Direct Action Law and Order Inching toward Resolution Rebellion Fizzles, Manorial System Withers 4. July 20, 1848: A Demand for Equal Rights Protesting Second-Class Status An Elegant Manifesto Campaigning in New York The Long Road to the Twentieth Century A Long, Grand Finale 5. October 1, 1851: Striking a Blow for Freedom The Crusading Spirit in Central New York Four New Yorkers Head for a Rendezvous with History Buildup to the Rescue The Rescue Aftermath 6. March 30, 1899: Pollution and Politics The Governor and the Polluters The Problem and the Experts The Search for Policy Counting on Dilution: The Rochester Sewage Disposal Project Erring on the Side of Caution: The Mohansic State Hospital Project Pollution and Politics: The Continuing Challenge 7. April 15, 1903: Intervening for the Children New York State Moves to Protect Its Youngest Citizens Children at Work A New Coalition of Determined Advocates The Great Breakthrough of 1903 Making the Laws Work 8. May 29, 1910: First in the Air A New Yorker Helps Launch the Aviation Industry The Route to Albany The Historic Flight Fighting the Wrights The Airman Takes to the Water Flying into History 9. March 25 and 29, 1911: Fires Change History Two Fires Destroy and Transform Saturday, March 25: Tragedy in New York City Consequences Thursday, March 29: Tragedy in Albany Consequences Fires and Political Transformation 10. February 14, 1924: Leading into the Information Age A New York Company with High Aspirations Machines to Control Enterprise Information A New Yorker Ahead of His Time Keeping on the Move IBM in Depression, War, and Beyond The Legacy 11. April 15, 1947: Breaking the Color Line The Most Exciting Opening Day in Baseball History Getting Ready for Greatness Opening the Door to History Defending Patriotism, Attacking Racism A Decade of Exciting Baseball Continuing to Make History 12. June 24, 1954: A New Enterprise for Moving around New York Opening New York’s “New Erie Canal” Vision of a New Superhighway From a Rocky Start to a Solid Foundation Politics and Geography Crossing the Hudson Politics and Progress 13. April 22, 1964: The World’s Fair Opens in New York A Tempestuous Beginning The New York A Brooding Presence over the Fair New York at the Fair Fun and Enlightenment at the Fair The Fair and Its President Revisited 14. August 2, 1978: Environmental Crisis and Citizen Activism A Crisis in the Making Dimensions of the Threat Lurching toward Resolution The Crisis Reverberates 15. September 11, 2001: New York’s Resilience Disaster and Confusion Investigation and Blame Building the New FDNY A Resilient New Yorker FDNY, 9/11, and New York’s Spirit 16. January 15, 2009: Miracle on the Hudson Ditching in the Hudson The Miracle on the Water A New York Miracle? Inspiring the Nation The Miracle Redux 17. September 17, 2011: Occupy Wall Street Origins The Polite Uprising in Liberty Square Undeveloped Objectives Taking to the Streets A Range of Reactions Demise and Legacy 18. October 29, 2012: New York Confronts a Superstorm Vulnerability Readiness Impact Recovery Resilience Uncertain Future 19. February 17, 2015: “Hamilton: An American Musical” Opens in New York City Alexander Hamilton: Durable Hero Hamilton Grabs Attention Hamilton and Historians The Limits of the Musical for Understanding History Hamilton and New York Selected Bib Liography About The Author Index 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. -- Publisher's Description April 22, 1777: New York State Begins -- February 4, 1826: Fiction Trumps History -- July 4, 1839: The Farmers' Rebellion -- July 20, 1848: A Demand For Equal Rights -- October 1, 1851: Striking A Blow For Freedom -- March 30, 1899: Pollution And Politics -- April 15, 1903: Intervening For The Children -- May 29, 1910: First In The Air -- March 25 And 29, 1911: Fires Change History -- February 14, 1924: Leading Into The Information Age -- April 15, 1947: Breaking The Color Line -- June 24, 1954: A New Enterprise For Moving Around New York -- April 22, 1964: The World's Fair Opens In New York -- August 2, 1978: Environmental Crisis And Citizen Activism -- September 11, 2001: New York's Resilience. Bruce W. Dearstyne. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Winner of the 2016 Award for Merit presented by the American Association for State and Local HistoryIn 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.