Video - NYC Secrets: From New Amsterdam to the Big Apple!

Did you know that New York City was originally called New Amsterdam? It was a Dutch settlement before the British took over in 1664. Speaking of names, Wall Street got its name because there was literally a wall there to protect the settlers from pirates and Native American tribes. Ever heard of the phrase "the Big Apple"? It was popularized by jazz musicians in the 1920s as a nickname for NYC's music scene. Also, Central Park is entirely man-made, created in the 1850s to give New Yorkers a green space to escape the city's hustle and bustle. Lastly, the iconic Statue of Liberty was a gift from France in 1886 to celebrate America's 100th birthday, and it almost ended up in Boston! What's your favorite New York City fact? Let us know in the comments!