In partnership with

Welcome to The New York City Newsletter!

In today’s edition:

• Upcoming Brooklyn Nets home game

• AI art of the week

• A deep dive into the life of Gertrude Ederle

• And more…

Quote of the Week

"Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work."

—Thomas Edison

Sponsored

Own a stake in Alaska’s oil reserves.

• Estimated 300 million barrels of recoverable reserves

• Royalty-based model reducing operational risks

• Projected 25+ years of reliable, high-margin royalty income

Learn More

New York City Trivia

Here is your trivia question of the week. The answer will be shown in next week’s newsletter. Which do you think it is? No cheating!

In which New York City neighborhood is the Apollo Theater, famous for its Amateur Night, located?

A) Harlem

B) SoHo

C) Greenwich Village

D) Lower East Side

Answer to Last Week’s Trivia:

The New York City island known for its former military fortifications and as a current public park is B) Governors Island.

The Best Stories of the Week

💼Business

NY Launches Business Navigator Child Care Toolkit.(link)

New York State DMV encourages businesses to embrace mobile ID.(link)

🏦Finance

JPMorgan Chase expects investment banking fees to be up by 45% in Q4.(link)

🏒Sports

Juan Soto to New York Mets: Baseball star 'signs' record $765m contract after leaving rivals New York Yankees.(link)

Former Central New York football standout blocks field goal for New York Giants.(link)

Upcoming Events

Here are some events that are happening in our city this week. There is a good mix between sports, entertainment, conferences, concerts, and more.

Sports

🏀Brooklyn Nets v. Cleveland Cavaliers
Barclays Center Brooklyn, NY
Monday December 16 | 7:30 PM | (more info)

🥊Boxing Insider Fight Night
Sony Hall 235 W 46th St New York,
Tuesday December 17 | 7:30 PM | (more info)

Music & Concerts

🎸The Blood Brothers - U.S. Tour 2024
Warsaw Brooklyn, NY
Monday December 16 | 7:00 PM | (more info)

🎺Chris Botti
Blue Note Jazz Club 131 W. 3rd St New York,
Wednesday December 18 | 9:30 PM | (more info)

Family

🎨 Creative Explosion for Kids - Art Class by Classpop
Shot of Art NYC 28 W 36th St. 10-th floor New York,
Wednesday, December 18 | 7 - 9:30pm EST | (more info)

Image of the Week

Every week, I have a habit of making some AI art about our city.

This week, I typed in “New York City with gravity-defying structures.” and this is what I got.

Let me know what ideas you have for this. I really enjoy making these types of photos.

New York City History

1931: Empire State Building completed.

The completion of the Empire State Building in 1931 marked a defining moment for New York City and the world. Standing at 1,454 feet, including its antenna, it was the tallest building globally until 1971 and quickly became an iconic symbol of American ambition and architectural prowess. The building was constructed in just over a year, a remarkable feat of engineering and labor efficiency during the challenging economic times of the Great Depression.

Designed by the architectural firm Shreve, Lamb & Harmon, the Empire State Building was part of a competitive race to construct the world's tallest skyscraper. Its Art Deco style, characterized by its sleek, linear appearance and ornamental spire, quickly captured the public's imagination. The building's construction involved thousands of workers who toiled tirelessly, often under hazardous conditions, to bring the vision to life.

The Empire State Building opened on May 1, 1931, with President Herbert Hoover pressing a button in Washington, D.C., to turn on its lights. It quickly became a major tourist attraction, offering panoramic views of New York City from its observation decks. Despite opening during the Great Depression, it stood as a beacon of hope and progress, symbolizing the city's resilience and capacity for greatness. Today, it remains one of the most recognizable and celebrated structures in the world.

Famous New Yorkers In History

Gertrude Ederle (1905–2003): Swimmer and first woman to swim the English Channel.

Early Years and Introduction to Swimming (1905-1917)

Gertrude Ederle was born on October 23, 1905, in New York City to German immigrants. From a young age, Gertrude showed a keen interest in swimming, a passion supported by her family. She learned to swim at the local public pools and beaches of New York City, rapidly advancing in skill and agility in the water.

Rising Star in Competitive Swimming (1918-1922)

As a teenager, Ederle’s talent in swimming became more pronounced. She joined the Women’s Swimming Association of New York, which provided her the platform to train competitively. By the age of 15, she was setting national records in different strokes, quickly gaining recognition as a promising American swimmer.

Olympic Success and Public Acclaim (1924)

Ederle's prowess culminated in her participation in the 1924 Paris Olympics. At just 19 years old, she won a gold medal in the 4x100 meter freestyle relay and bronze medals in the 100 and 400-meter freestyle races, bringing significant attention and acclaim both nationally and internationally.

The Dream to Conquer the Channel (1925-1926)

After her Olympic victories, Ederle set a monumental goal: to swim across the English Channel. It was a daunting task that had been completed by only five men by that time. Ederle trained extensively, focusing on building her endurance and adapting to cold water temperatures.

The First Attempt and Learning (August 1925)

Ederle's first attempt to swim the Channel in August 1925 ended in disappointment. After swimming for nearly 9 hours, she was pulled from the water due to unfavorable weather conditions. This setback only fueled her determination, and she began to prepare more intensely for her next attempt.

Triumphant Crossing and Record Setting (August 6, 1926)

On August 6, 1926, Ederle made her second attempt, swimming from Cap Gris-Nez in France to Kingsdown, Kent, England. She not only succeeded but also set a new record time of 14 hours and 34 minutes, surpassing the previous men's record by nearly two hours and becoming the first woman to complete the challenge.

Impact and Inspiration (1926-1930)

Following her historic swim, Ederle became an instant celebrity. She was celebrated with a ticker-tape parade in New York City and used her fame to advocate for women's sports and swimming. Her achievement inspired thousands of women worldwide to pursue athletics and competitive sports.

Later Life and Legacy (1931-2003)

After her swimming career, Ederle taught swimming to children and remained an active advocate for the sport. Despite facing several health challenges, including hearing loss, she continued to inspire many with her resilience and passion for swimming. Gertrude Ederle passed away on November 30, 2003, but her legacy as a pioneering athlete lives on.

Key Achievements

• First woman to swim across the English Channel in 1926, setting a new overall record.

• Gold medalist in the 4x100 meter freestyle relay at the 1924 Paris Olympics.

• Bronze medalist in the 100 and 400-meter freestyle races at the 1924 Paris Olympics.

• Set multiple world records in women's swimming during her career.

• Inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1965.

Gertrude Ederle's remarkable achievements in swimming not only broke records but also broke societal barriers for female athletes. Her historic swim across the English Channel in 1926 remains one of the most iconic moments in sports history. Ederle's dedication and success continue to inspire athletes around the world, cementing her as a true pioneer in women’s sports and a celebrated figure in New York's rich sporting history.

There’s a reason 400,000 professionals read this daily.

Join The AI Report, trusted by 400,000+ professionals at Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI. Get daily insights, tools, and strategies to master practical AI skills that drive results.

Sign up now for free and work smarter, not harder.

Connect With Me

If you want to connect, reply to this email and let me know what you think.

I would love to hear from you. Don’t be shy.

-Yannick Lyons