The Dakota: 1912

The Dakota Park Apartments, located in New York's Central Park West and West 42nd Street, is pictured in 1912. Built in 1880, it is perhaps best remembered today as the place where famed Beatle John Lennon was shot to death on December 8, 1980. In addition to Lennon, other famous celebrities who called The Dakota home included Lauren Bacall, Leonard Bernstein, Judy Garland, and Rex Reed. Today the building is on the National Register of Historic Places and also is a  National Historic Landmark.

Nathan Birnbaum

Comic George Burns, aka Nathan Birnbaum was born on January 20, 1896 in New York City, and lived to see 100. When he was buried in 1996, he had 3 cigars and 10 $100 bills in his pocket. He was entombed alongside his wife Gracie Allen, who had died in 1994. The marker on the tomb was changed to read "Gracie Allen and George Burns---Together Again. George had insisted that Gracie be given top billing in the end.

Great Depression 1929 - 1941

A bread line in New York City during the Great Depression reveals the hardships of the time as a result of an economy gone bad. After the stock market boom in the early 1920's, the US Government attempted to raise interest rate levels resulting in a stock market crash.

Duke Ellington

Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington was an American composer, pianist, and jazz orchestra leader. Born in Washington, DC on April 29, 1899, his award filled musical career resulted in his being largely recognized as one of the greatest figures in the history of jazz. Ellington died in New York City on May 24, 1974 at the age of 75. His image appears on the back of the Washington, DC quarter, which was released in 2009.

Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890)

In 1889, one year before his death, Dutch artist Vincent van Gogh painted 'The Starry Night', which depicts the view outside his sanitarium room window at night. Incredibly, he painted it from memory during the day. Since 1941, this famous painting has been in the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.

Lusitania

Lusitania is seen at a New York City pier on November 20, 1908.

Bread Line

Men standing in New York City bread line in 1915.