New York is one of the largest cities in the world. This is the place where dreams come true, Hollywood movies are created, yellow cabs cruise the streets and the country’s highest skyscrapers may be found. Locals and tourists refer to it in various ways, including “the city that never sleeps,” “the capital of the world” and “the center of the universe.” However, “The Big Apple” has been the most popular name for decades. Discover how it is related to this city and why it is referred to as such by guides at i-new-york.
In 2004, a sculpture representing the city’s symbol, The Big Apple, was ceremoniously presented in New York. It was designed by architect Stephan Weiss. It may be found in Hudson River Park. According to history, there is no clear answer to the question of why New York got such a name. However, there are several theories of its origin. Each of them is fascinating.
Theories on the origin of the name “The Big Apple”
Apples were the first fruits in New York
The oldest theory suggests that the first settlers who came to New York planted several types of trees here. One of them produced the first fruits. It was an apple tree. Since then, apples have been a symbol of life and prosperity in this huge metropolis.
An apple tree is a symbol of success
According to another theory, this name first appeared in the 1930s. Then New York became known as the capital of jazz. The song “The Big Apple” was one of the public’s favorites in this musical genre. According to glsmoscow.ru, New Yorkers frequently sang the lyrics of the cheery song and used to claim that “There are a lot of apples on the tree of success, but if you managed to conquer New York, you got the Big Apple”.
As a result, music lovers started to associate “The Big Apple” with success in New York.
Apples were given to the poor during the Great Depression
The Great Depression was one of the most terrible eras in world history, beginning on October 24, 1929, with the stock market crash in the United States and lasting until 1939. Then, thousands of people died of starvation. As a way to help them, wealthy New Yorkers gave apples on the streets.
The song “The Big Apple” made New York famous
In 1937, the main hit on TV and radio channels was the song “The Big Apple”, recorded by the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra (Tommy Dorsey was a conductor, musician and composer). For many New Yorkers and tourists alike, it has become associated with the grandeur of New York City and its bustling and diverse life.
Interesting facts. What do tour guides tell about “The Big Apple”?
- In the eighteenth century, New York served as the capital of the United States for one year before it was relocated to Washington.
- The Statue of Liberty was brought to New York from France. It arrived divided into 350 parts and was constructed on Liberty Island. This was a gift from the French to the American people as a symbol of friendship between countries during the American Revolution.
- The bull on Wall Street represents New York’s financial independence and prosperity. It was installed in 1989 by sculptor Arturo Di Modica. The monument’s construction cost 360,000 dollars.
- Taxis in New York were originally red and green but the color was later changed to yellow. This is owing to the fact that it is more noticeable from a distance.
- It is one of the largest cities in the world. The population of the Big Apple is approximately 8.5 million people.
- New York is a multi-ethnic city. There are different national diaspora neighborhoods, such as Chinatown and Little Italy.
- The subway system in New York City is one of the largest in the world. There are 460 underground stations. Around 5.8 million people use the subway every day.
- There is an airport named after former President John F. Kennedy in the southern part of New York.
- In New York restaurants, you can find dishes made from many kinds of animals from across the world.
- Most of New York City’s bridges and tunnels require drivers to pay a fee in order to cross.