This comprehensive account traces New York City's evolution from its Native American roots through European colonization to American independence. It explores the Lenape people's early inhabitation, the Dutch founding of New Amsterdam in 1624, the British takeover in 1664, and the city's pivotal role in the American Revolution. The narrative highlights how New York's diverse population, strategic location, and commercial spirit laid the foundation for its emergence as a global metropolis, shaping its unique character that persists to this day.