So Good They Named It Twice!

A name gives something a sense of identity. It helps shape what a place is and may become and gives the people inhabiting it something to identify with, thus becoming a part of the people themselves. You rarely travel to ANY state without seeing the famous “i <3 ny” logo on a t-shirt or bag or even hearing somebody quote it. The name “New York ” came to be after The Duke of York who gained control of the land in the 17th century. The Dutch settled here permanently in 1624 and for 40 years maintained control of the land. Being previously owned by the Dutch it was first known as New Amsterdam, but when it was taken over by the English the land was given as a gift to the Duke of York, by his older brother, where it was re-named as it is rightfully so today. Naming New York was something that no doubt helped shape what it has become today. Giving this unique and obviously one of a kind place a face helps in the overall development of what it has become and what it will become later throughout the ages.