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Welcome to The New York City Newsletter!

In today’s edition:

• Upcoming New York Rangers home game

• AI art of the week

• A deep dive into the life of Al Capone

• And more…

Quote of the Week

“It’s not the mistake that matters, it’s how you interpret the lesson.”

—Michelle C. Ustaszeski

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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 what year did the New York City Subway officially open?

A) 1875

B) 1904

C) 1917

D) 1932

Answer to Last Week’s Trivia:

The New York City building famous for its annual Christmas tree lighting is B) Rockefeller Center.

The Best Stories of the Week

💼Business

Nuqleous acquires New York software company.(link)

Empty offices fetch $48 million in Manhattan's Hell's Kitchen.(link)

🏦Finance

$8.5M Available to Assist NY Farmers With Growing Their Business.(link)

🏒Sports

Aaron Rodgers retirement decision has $23.5M implication for New York Jets.(link)

New York Mets Owner Steve Cohen Sends Message About Juan Soto.(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

🏒 New York Rangers vs. New Jersey Devils
Madison Square Garden New York,
Monday December 02 | 7:00 PM | (more info)

🏀 New York Knicks vs. Orlando Magic
Madison Square Garden New York,
Tuesday December 03 | 7:30 PM | (more info)

Music & Concerts

🎷 Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks
Birdland Theater 315 West 44th Street New York,
Monday December 2 | 5:30 PM | (more info)

🎹 Emmet Cohen Trio
Birdland Jazz Club 315 West 44th Street New York,
Tuesday December 3 | 9:30 PM | (more info)

Family

🍪 Kids' Cookie Class
Angelina Bakery - UES 1649 3rd Avenue New York,
Wednesday, December 4 · 4 - 6:30pm 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 streets with interactive, responsive surfaces.” 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

1920: Wall Street bombing.

On September 16, 1920, a bomb exploded on Wall Street, near the J.P. Morgan bank in New York City, killing 38 people and injuring hundreds. The attack, which involved a horse-drawn wagon filled with explosives, was one of the deadliest acts of terrorism on U.S. soil at the time and caused widespread panic and destruction in the heart of the nation's financial district. Despite extensive investigations by the authorities, the perpetrators were never definitively identified, though suspicion fell on anarchists or other radical groups active in the post-World War I era, a time marked by social unrest and political tension.

The Wall Street bombing underscored the vulnerability of urban centers to acts of terrorism and had a profound impact on American society and politics. It heightened fears of radicalism and led to increased surveillance and crackdowns on leftist and anarchist groups during the Red Scare of the 1920s. The attack also prompted changes in public safety measures and emergency response strategies in cities across the country.

Despite the passage of time, the Wall Street bombing remains a significant event in the history of terrorism in the United States. It serves as a reminder of the challenges of maintaining security and civil liberties in the face of threats and the impact of political violence on public consciousness and policy. The bombing is a historical marker of the tensions that can arise in a society undergoing rapid change and the extremes to which ideological conflict can lead.

Famous New Yorkers In History

Al Capone (1899–1947): Notorious gangster and crime boss.

Al Capone (1899–1947)

Early Life and Introduction to Crime (1899-1919)

Alphonse Gabriel Capone, better known as Al Capone, was born in 1899 in Brooklyn, New York, to immigrant parents. Growing up in a tough neighborhood, Capone was exposed to crime and gang activity from an early age. His early involvement with small-time gangs, including the notorious Five Points Gang, laid the foundation for his future in organized crime. Capone's charisma and intelligence quickly made him stand out among his peers, setting him on a path that would lead to infamy.

Rise to Power in Chicago (1920-1931)

Although Capone's criminal career began in New York, it was in Chicago that he rose to national prominence. Moving to Chicago in his early twenties, Capone joined the Johnny Torrio gang, eventually succeeding Torrio as the leader. Under Capone's leadership, the gang expanded its operations, taking control of illegal breweries and speakeasies during Prohibition. His ability to bribe public officials and use violence to eliminate rivals solidified his grip on Chicago's underworld.

Connection to New York City (Throughout Life)

While Capone is most closely associated with Chicago, New York City played a crucial role in his early life and criminal beginnings. The city's rough neighborhoods and vibrant gang culture during the early 20th century provided Capone with his first lessons in organized crime. Throughout his career, Capone maintained connections with New York's criminal underworld, collaborating with East Coast gangsters and occasionally retreating to the city to lay low during periods of heat in Chicago.

Public Enemy No. 1 and Legal Battles (1931-1939)

Capone's reign in Chicago made him America's most notorious gangster and ""Public Enemy No. 1."" His involvement in various illegal activities, including gambling, prostitution, and, most famously, the St. Valentine's Day Massacre, drew the attention of federal authorities. In 1931, Capone was finally brought to justice, not for his violent crimes, but for tax evasion. His conviction and subsequent imprisonment marked the beginning of the end for one of the most infamous figures in American organized crime.

Imprisonment and Decline (1939-1947)

Capone's imprisonment in Alcatraz significantly weakened his control over Chicago's criminal empire. His health deteriorated while in prison, partly due to untreated syphilis, leading to his early release in 1939 on humanitarian grounds. Capone spent his final years in Florida, a shadow of the powerful gangster he once was, until his death in 1947.

Legacy and Influence (1947-Present)

Al Capone's legacy is a complex one. On one hand, he is remembered as a ruthless criminal who played a significant role in the violence and corruption of Prohibition-era America. On the other, Capone has become something of a cultural icon, romanticized in films, books, and popular lore as the quintessential American gangster. His life story continues to fascinate and serve as a cautionary tale of the American Dream gone awry.

Key Achievements:

• Dominated Chicago's criminal underworld during the Prohibition era, becoming the most notorious gangster in America.

• Expanded organized crime into various illegal ventures, showcasing a blend of brutality and business acumen.

• Became a central figure in the cultural mythology of American organized crime, influencing countless portrayals in media and popular culture.

Al Capone's journey from the streets of Brooklyn to the top of Chicago's criminal empire is a tale of ambition, power, and downfall. His early experiences in New York City's gang culture provided the foundation for his rise to notoriety, while his reign in Chicago epitomized the excesses and dangers of the Prohibition era. Despite his criminal activities, Capone's legacy continues to captivate the public imagination, embodying the dark side of the pursuit of power and wealth in America.

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

-Yannick Lyons