Contact: Colleen Roche/Jack Deacy (212) 788-2958
Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani today announced the upcoming NYC 100 Centennial Weekend, the official citywide celebration of the Centennial anniversary of Greater New York City. The Mayor proclaimed June 19 to 21 New York Centennial Weekend, honoring the year-long celebration of the 100th anniversary of the consolidation of the five boroughs.
"The 100th birthday of the greatest and most famous city in the world deserves the biggest and best birthday party we can give it," the Mayor said. "NYC Centennial Weekend is a gift for all New Yorkers to enjoy. The Centennial anniversary of the consolidation of New York City comes at a time when the City is booming -- it is safer, cleaner and more fiscally sound than it has been in decades. NYC 100 Centennial Weekend is an occasion for all New Yorkers to celebrate their heritage and their City."
Joining the Mayor were Marie Salerno, president of the Committee for NYC 100: Greater New York Centennial Celebration; Lewis Rudin, Chairman of the Association for a Better New York; and Betsy Gotbaum, President of the New York Historical Society.
After the Brooklyn Bridge linked them physically, rival cities Manhattan and Brooklyn joined governments in 1898 and took on more than 40 other municipal governments in Staten Island, the Bronx and Queens to create the largest and most important city in America - New York City. This historical milestone will be celebrated through the Fall.
Throughout the Centennial Weekend, hundreds of cultural institutions, historic sites, restaurants, business improvement districts, community associations and other organizations will be celebrating the event. Centennial birthday festivities include simultaneous fireworks displays in all five boroughs on Saturday, June 20.
On Sunday, June 21, New York Is Free offers free admission to over 100 activities and promotions around the City, including museums and tours. Film festivals, off-Broadway theatre, literary readings, music, gardens and architectural walking tours will also be a part of the entertainment. Banners, free music concerts, a parade of boats in the East River and beach parties will mark the birthday celebrations around the City. For specific events and locations, call NYC 100 at 212-877-8984.
In honor of the City's rich history, more than 200 cultural, historical and educational institutions that form the Centennial Consortium are offering New York City heritage programs, exhibitions, lectures and other activities throughout the year, giving New Yorkers and tourists the opportunity to explore the City's past and culture.
NYC 100, a nonprofit institution, is sponsored by The New York Times Company Foundation, which is headed by New York Times Company Foundation President and NYC 100 Advisory Council Chair Arthur Gelb. Also supporting NYC 100 are AT&T, Target, The Daniel Cowin Foundation, the J.M. Kaplan Fund, the Henry Luce Foundation, the Susan and Elihu Rose Foundation, the May and Samuel Rudin Foundation, and the George Soros/Open Society Institute.