Did You Know?

1776 - During the Revolutionary War, The Battle of Brooklyn was fought for three days in the areas that today are Prospect Park, Park Slope, Bay Ridge and Fort Greene. George Washington retreats and the British occupation of Brooklyn begins.

1827 - Slavery was abolished in New York City.

1841 - The Brooklyn Eagle Newspaper begins publication.Walt Whitman is one of its first editors.

1848 - Brooklyn Borough Hall opens (formerly called Brooklyn City Hall).

1858 - Baseball gets its first real start. The National Association of Base Ball Players is formed.

1862 - The iron-clad Civil War ship Monitor is launched at Greenpoint and later outfitted at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Built in only 101 Days.

1874 - The frankfurter is born in Coney Island by Charles Feltman and later nick-named the ãhot dogã by the press in 1906.

1883 - Opening of the Brooklyn Bridge (designed by John Roebling) provided the first link between Brooklyn and Manhattan.During its 13 year construction, 27 men died including its designer.

1898 - Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens and Staten Island (Richmond) join with Manhattan to become New York City.

1913 - Ebbets Field stadium for the Brooklyn Dodgers opens.

1950 - Brooklyn Battery Tunnel opens after 9 years of construction.The only underwater connection between Manhattan and Brooklyn for cars and trucks.

1964 - The Verrazano Bridge opens connecting Brooklyn and Staten Island. Still one of the longest suspension bridges in the world.