20th century Manhattan

manhattan s little italy, lower east side, circa 1900

the construction of new york city subway, opened in 1904, helped bind new city together, did additional bridges brooklyn. in 1920s manhattan experienced large arrivals of african-americans part of great migration southern united states, , harlem renaissance, part of larger boom time in prohibition era included new skyscrapers competing skyline. new york city became populous city in world in 1925, overtaking london, had reigned century. manhattan s majority white ethnic group declined 98.7% in 1900 58.3% 1990.

on march 25, 1911, triangle shirtwaist factory fire in greenwich village killed 146 garment workers. disaster led overhauls of city s fire department, building codes, , workplace regulations.

the period between world wars saw election of reformist mayor fiorello la guardia , fall of tammany hall after 80 years of political dominance. city s demographics stabilized, labor unionization brought new protections , affluence working class, city s government , infrastructure underwent dramatic overhaul under la guardia. despite great depression, of world s tallest skyscrapers completed in manhattan during 1930s, including numerous art deco masterpieces still part of city s skyline today, notably empire state building, chrysler building, , ge building.

victory on japan day in times square, 1945

returning world war ii veterans created postwar economic boom, led development of huge housing developments targeted @ returning veterans, largest being peter cooper village-stuyvesant town, opened in 1947. in 1952, united nations relocated first headquarters near queens, east side of manhattan.

the stonewall riots series of spontaneous, violent demonstrations members of gay community against police raid took place in morning hours of june 28, 1969, @ stonewall inn in greenwich village neighborhood of lower manhattan. considered constitute single important event leading gay liberation movement , modern fight lgbt rights in united states.

in 1970s job losses due industrial restructuring caused new york city, including manhattan, suffer economic problems , rising crime rates. while resurgence in financial industry improved city s economic health in 1980s, new york s crime rate continued increase through decade , beginning of 1990s.

the 1980s saw rebirth of wall street, , manhattan reclaimed role @ center of worldwide financial industry. 1980s saw manhattan @ heart of aids crisis, greenwich village @ epicenter. organizations gay men s health crisis (gmhc) , aids coalition unleash power (act up) founded advocate on behalf of stricken disease.

by 1990s crime rates started drop dramatically due revised police strategies, improving economic opportunities, gentrification, , new residents, both american transplants , new immigrants asia , latin america. murder rates had reached 2,245 in 1990 plummeted 537 2008, , crack epidemic , associated drug-related violence came under greater control. outflow of population turned around, city once again became destination of immigrants around world, joining low interest rates , wall street bonuses fuel growth of real estate market. important new sectors, such silicon alley, emerged in manhattan s economy.