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Apr 1, 1524
Giovanni da Verrazano passes through the Narrows
Giovanni da Verrazano, an Italian explorer sailing under the Sponsorship of King Francois I of France, becomes the first European to pass through the Narrows. -
Naming of Staten Island
Henry Hudson was an English explorer sailing on the behalf of Holland. He entered the New York Bay on this day and came across Staten Island, which he named Staaten Eyelandt in honor of the Dutch Parliment. This name evolved into Staten Island, as we now call it. -
Richmond Town established as the county seat.
Richmond Town is established as the county seat of Richmond County -
Peace talks take place at the Conference House.
John Adams, Benjamin Franklin and Edward Rutledge hold peace talks with British commander William Howe. Howe offers clemency in return for surrender at the home of loyalist Lt. Col. Christopher Billopp in Tottenville now called the "Conference House". The conference fails and the American Revolution continues. -
Cornelius Vanderbilt is born
Vanderbilt, also known as the "Commodore", was born in Port Richmond on this date. He comes to be one of the most prominent figures in the history of Staten Island leaving an undying legacy. Vanderbilt has many accomplishments including his work with the ferry, which is an important part of life for many Staten Islanders today. -
ACS send former slaves to form Liberia
The American Colonization Society sent former American slaves to Africa, forming Liberia. -
First African American settlers move to Sandy Ground
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Liberia Proclaims Independence
Liberia was proclaimed an independent republic. Joseph Jenkins Roberts elected the first president. -
Staten Island joins New York City.
Staten Island joins New York City. 73% of Staten Islanders approve the referendum that combines the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island into a single city. Up to this point Richmond County had been administered as five townships. -
New York City Department of Transportation Takes Control of the Staten Island Ferry
Many improvements were made to the ferry because of this trasnfer of power. The old ferries were replaced with new and improved ferries. Also, the DOT continues to make sure that the ferries are well maintained and in good condition. The ferry system that we see today is the result of the DOT. -
Oyster beds around Staten Island died.
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Oystering was outlawed.
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Founding of Historic Ricmond Town
Historic Richmond Town is New York City’s living history village and museum complex. People can walk through historically furnished homes and museums at this site. It was established to preserve the history of the entire Island. -
Rossville fires.
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The Verrazano-Narrows Bridge opens to the public.
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Founding of Sandy Ground Historical Society.
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Samuel K. Doe Elected President
Elections held in Liberia - Samuel Doe elected president -
First Liberian Civil War Begins
Charles Taylor, a member of the Gio tribe and a former cabinet minister under Samuel Doe, led a small group of fighters across the border from the Ivory Coast into Liberia. Within a few months he had looted and terrorized much of the countryside and reached the capital. Taylor led the NPFL or National Patriotic Front. -
Samuel Doe Killed
Liberian dictator President Samuel K. Doe was killed after being captured by rebels. -
End of the First Civil War
Liberian warlords agreed in Nigeria to end hostilities in six-year old civil war, which had killed 150,000 people. The Economic Community of West African States brokered a peace treaty between two warring movements. -
Second Liberian Civil War Begins
Fighting and looting began in Monrovia, Liberia, and the civil war resumed between rival ethnic groups. -
Charles Taylor becomes President.
Charles Taylor was sworn in as Liberian president. It is believed he won the election due to fear of an escalation of the war. -
Terrorists attack the World Trade Center
Members of the Al Quaeda terrorist organization hijack and crash two passenger jets into the World Trade Center destroying the building and killing nearly 3,000. Staten Island bears much of the loss of life, nearly 300 residents, with a large numbers of firemen and World Trade Center workers living on Staten Island. The Fresh Kills landfill is chosen to hold the debris from the towers and serves as a crime lab for police investigators searching for human remains. -
End of Second Liberian Civil War
Liberian President Charles Taylor delivered a farewell address, consequently, Liberia's leading rebel movement agreed to lift its siege of the capital and vital port within two days, allowing food to flow to hundreds of thousands of hungry people. -
S.I. Ferry crashes into St. George pier.
In one of the bloodiest public transportation accidents in Staten Island History, the ferryboat Andrew J. Barberi plows into a concrete pier in St. George, killing 11 and injuring 70. The ship's pilot, Assistant Capt. Richard J. Smith, is sentenced to 18 months in prison. -
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Sworn in as Liberian President.
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf pledged a "fundamental break" with Liberia's violent past as she was sworn in as president, carving her name into history as Africa's first elected female head of state.
