New york old name

You're referring to the early history of New York City!

Before it was known as New York, the area was inhabited by the Lenape Native American tribe. The first European explorer to visit the area was Giovanni da Verrazzano, an Italian, in 1524. He named the area "Angouleme" after the French province of Angoulême.

In 1609, the Dutch East India Company sent Henry Hudson to explore the Hudson River and the surrounding area. Hudson sailed up the river and claimed the area for the Dutch, naming it "Nieuw Amsterdam" (New Amsterdam).

The Dutch West India Company established a settlement at the southern tip of Manhattan in 1624, which became known as "Nieuw Amsterdam". The settlement grew rapidly, and in 1626, the Dutch West India Company sold the island of Manhattan to the Dutch government for 60 guilders.

In 1664, the British took control of the colony from the Dutch and renamed it "New York" after the Duke of York, later King James II of England. The name "New York" was officially adopted in 1665.

So, to summarize:

• 1524: Giovanni da Verrazzano names the area "Angouleme"
• 1609: Henry Hudson claims the area for the Dutch and names it "Nieuw Amsterdam"
• 1624: The Dutch West India Company establishes a settlement at the southern tip of Manhattan
• 1626: The Dutch government buys the island of Manhattan from the Dutch West India Company
• 1664: The British take control of the colony and rename it "New York"
• 1665: The name "New York" is officially adopted