NYC's Last Federal Bailout

Mayor Bloomberg's warning, that New York could meet a similar fate as Detroit, comes at an coincidental time -- August 8th marks the 35th anniversary of the signing of New York City's last Federal Loan Guarantee Bill, the final of several bailouts which set the city back on the path to solvency. President Jimmy Carter signed the bill outside City Hall in 1978, with Senator Javits, Senator Moynihan, Governor Carey and Mayor Koch:

"People in other parts of the country have sometimes been jealous of the achievements of New York, and there were a few around our Nation who were willing to see the big city taken down a peg or two. I know how New Yorkers feel about that"

Hurricane Flashback: The "Long Island Express" of 1938

 I recently scanned my grandparent's photo album, showing the damage from the "Great Hurricane of 1938" for New York Social Diary. You can see the full post at NYSD, or check out some of the photos below:

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The Empire State Building Turned 80: See Al Smith & FDR at the 1931 Ribbon Cutting

May 1st marked another anniversary in US history, the 80th year since the Empire State Building was completed.

Constructed at the start of the Great Depression, the iconic 102 story building was erected under the supervision of former Governor Al Smith, who had became president of Empire State Inc. after his failed White House bid against Herbert Hoover in 1928. The working-class former Governor, who had pulled himself up from his bootstraps, was bitter in defeat and was equally perturbed that Franklin Roosevelt, a blue blooded aristocrat, had squeaked by to become his successor as Governor of New York.

Al Smith appeared to temporarily bury the hatchet when they both attended the the ribbon cutting ceremony in 1931. There was an amusing moment when a member of the press shouted "Governor". To which Smith replied, "Yes? Which one?" See it below: 

President Washington's House in New York City

Once upon a time DC was a barren swampland, the US capital was New York City and congress met at Federal Hall on Wall Street. For several months during this 2 year period before 1790, George Washington lived at 39 Broadway near Bowling Green, which was considered a posh neighborhood in the late 18th Century. Residents included the Jays, Livingstons and Hamiltons and at the time the President's house was owned by Alexander Macomb, a prominent merchant who later found himself in debtors prison. While lower Broadway has been subsequently developed many times over in the last 220 years, a plaque marks the spot at 39 Broadway where our first President once lived.