1. Harlem Renaissance (1910s–1930s)

A cultural explosion in Harlem celebrating African American literature, music, and art.
Key Figures:

• Langston Hughes (poet, novelist)
• Zora Neale Hurston (author, anthropologist)
• Duke Ellington (jazz musician, composer)
• Bessie Smith (blues singer)
• Aaron Douglas (visual artist)

2. The Jazz Age / Prohibition Era (1920s–1933)

Speakeasies, jazz, and underground nightlife flourished during prohibition.
Key Figures:

• Louis Armstrong (jazz musician)
• F. Scott Fitzgerald (novelist, The Great Gatsby)
• Ethel Waters (jazz/blues singer)
• Al Capone (organized crime leader)
• Dorothy Parker (writer, socialite)

3. The Mafia Scene (1920s–1990s)

Organized crime influenced politics, labor, and entertainment in New York.
Key Figures:

• Charles "Lucky" Luciano (mob boss)
• Meyer Lansky (financial mastermind)
• Frank Costello (political fixer)
• John Gotti (the "Dapper Don")
• Vito Genovese (leader of the Genovese crime family)

4. Fashion Scene and the Garment District (1920s–Present)

The Garment District was once the hub of American fashion design and production, later evolving into a global fashion epicenter.
Key Figures:

• Halston (1970s designer)
• Donna Karan (fashion innovator)
• Calvin Klein (minimalist designer)
• Marc Jacobs (modern luxury designer)
• Anna Wintour (Vogue editor-in-chief)

5. Abstract Expressionism (1940s–1950s)

The first major American art movement, abstract and emotionally charged.
Key Figures:

• Jackson Pollock (painter)
• Willem de Kooning (painter)
• Lee Krasner (painter, feminist pioneer)
• Mark Rothko (painter)
• Franz Kline (painter)

6. Beat Generation (1940s–1950s)

A literary and countercultural movement centered in Greenwich Village, challenging conventional societal norms through poetry, prose, and activism.
Key Figures:

• Allen Ginsberg (poet, Howl)
• Jack Kerouac (author, On the Road)
• William S. Burroughs (author, Naked Lunch)
• Gregory Corso (poet)
• Diane di Prima (poet, feminist icon)

7. The New York School of Poetry (1940s–1960s)

A group of avant-garde poets and artists who revolutionized the literary scene in the mid-20th century, associated with the postmodern movement and abstract expressionism. Key Figures:

• John Ashbery (poet)
• Frank O’Hara (poet)
• Kenneth Koch (poet)
• Barbara Guest (poet)
• James Schuyler (poet)

8. The Candy Club Scene (1950s)

A precursor to LGBTQ+ nightlife culture, a haven for drag queens and queer individuals.
Key Figures:

• Flawless Sabrina (drag queen, performer)
• Stormé DeLarverie (performer, activist)
• Ray Bourbon (drag performer)
• Jackie Curtis (drag artist, playwright)
• Marsha P. Johnson (activist, early LGBTQ+ figure)

9. Folk Music Revival (1950s–1960s)

Centered in Greenwich Village, blending traditional folk with activism and storytelling.
Key Figures:

• Bob Dylan (singer-songwriter)
• Joan Baez (singer, activist)
• Pete Seeger (folk musician, activist)
• Odetta (folk and blues singer)
• Judy Collins (singer-songwriter)

10. New York's Coffeehouse Scene (1950s–Present)

Though not a formal "movement," the coffeehouse scene in New York, particularly in Greenwich Village, has been a key venue for poets, musicians, and political activists. The scene became a nurturing space for the Beat Generation and the folk music revival. Key Figures:

• Bob Dylan (musician)
• Joan Baez (singer)
• Allen Ginsberg (poet)
• Jack Kerouac (author)
• Sylvia Plath (poet)

11. Pop Art Movement (1960s)

Celebrating consumerism and popular media, led by vibrant art and avant-garde personalities.
Key Figures:

• Andy Warhol (artist, filmmaker)
• Roy Lichtenstein (artist)
• Claes Oldenburg (sculptor)
• Jean-Michel Basquiat (artist, graffiti pioneer)
• Keith Haring (artist)

12. The Anti-War Movement (1960s–1970s)

As part of the larger countercultural movement, the New York anti-Vietnam War protests became some of the most visible and active demonstrations of the 1960s and 1970s. The movement influenced music, art, and social activism. Key Figures:

• Abbie Hoffman (activist, co-founder of the Yippies)
• Tom Hayden (activist, politician)
• Jane Fonda (actress, activist)
• Pete Seeger (folk musician, activist)
• Martin Luther King Jr. (civil rights leader)

13. LGBTQ+ Activism and Nightlife Scene (1960s–Present)

From the Stonewall riots in 1969 to ongoing Pride celebrations, LGBTQ+ activism shaped both political and nightlife cultures.
Key Figures:

• Marsha P. Johnson (activist, drag queen)
• Sylvia Rivera (trans activist)
• Larry Kramer (founder of ACT UP)
• David Wojnarowicz (artist and AIDS activist)
• Edie Windsor (plaintiff in a landmark Supreme Court case)

14. The Factory Scene (1960s–1970s)

Andy Warhol’s studio became a cultural epicenter of art, celebrity, and experimentalism.
Key Figures:

• Andy Warhol (artist, filmmaker)
• Edie Sedgwick (model, actress)
• Nico (musician, actress)
• Lou Reed (musician, The Velvet Underground)
• Candy Darling (actor, trans icon)

15. Experimental Theater Movement (1960s–1970s)

Centered around Off-Off-Broadway spaces like La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club, this movement redefined performance art.
Key Figures:

• Ellen Stewart (founder of La MaMa)
• Richard Foreman (playwright, avant-garde director)
• The Living Theatre (radical theater troupe)
• Robert Wilson (experimental playwright and director)
• Mabou Mines (theater collective)

16. The Women’s Liberation Movement (1960s–1980s)

The Women’s Liberation Movement in New York played a pivotal role in challenging societal norms around gender roles and advocating for equal rights. The movement had a significant impact on various aspects of culture, from the arts to politics. Key Figures:

• Betty Friedan (author, The Feminine Mystique)
• Gloria Steinem (feminist activist, co-founder of Ms. Magazine)
• Shirley Chisholm (politician, first Black woman elected to U.S. Congress)
• Audre Lorde (poet, feminist, civil rights activist)
• Susan Sontag (writer, feminist thinker)

17. Studio 54 Scene (1977–1981)

The iconic nightclub epitomized the disco era, hosting celebrities, artists, and nightlife legends.
Key Figures:

• Bianca Jagger (socialite, style icon)
• Grace Jones (singer, performer)
• Liza Minnelli (actress, singer)
• Steve Rubell (co-founder of Studio 54)
• Andy Warhol (frequent attendee, artist)

18. Punk Rock Scene (Mid-1970s)

A rebellious and gritty movement defined by music, fashion, and anti-establishment attitudes.
Key Figures:

• Patti Smith (musician, poet)
• The Ramones (punk band)
• Blondie (band, fronted by Debbie Harry)
• Richard Hell (musician, style innovator)
• Television (band)

19. Disco Scene (1970s)

Centered around Studio 54 and Paradise Garage, blending music, fashion, and nightlife.
Key Figures:

• Donna Summer (queen of disco)
• Grace Jones (singer, fashion icon)
• Nile Rodgers (producer, musician)
• Larry Levan (DJ, Paradise Garage)
• Bianca Jagger (socialite, party icon)

20. Loft Jazz Movement (1970s)

An experimental jazz scene that flourished in SoHo lofts, blending free jazz with avant-garde art.
Key Figures:

• Sam Rivers (saxophonist, venue host)
• Anthony Braxton (composer, multi-instrumentalist)
• Cecil Taylor (pioneering pianist)
• Oliver Lake (saxophonist)
• David Murray (tenor saxophonist)

21. No Wave Movement (Late 1970s–Early 1980s)

Emerging in Manhattan’s downtown scene, No Wave was an experimental, anti-commercial response to punk rock. It blended dissonant music, avant-garde art, and nihilistic energy. The movement’s focus on noise, atonality, and performance art created a unique cultural moment that influenced alternative music and art for decades.
Key Figures:

• Sonic Youth (Formed by Thurston Moore, Kim Gordon, and Lee Ranaldo)
• Lydia Lunch (Founder of Teenage Jesus and the Jerks, known for her confrontational performances and spoken word)
• Glenn Branca (Experimental composer and guitarist who explored dissonance and noise in large guitar ensembles)
• James Chance (Saxophonist and frontman of James Chance and the Contortions, merging punk, funk, and free jazz)
• DNA (A band led by Arto Lindsay, known for their abrasive sound and minimalist approach)

22. Hip-Hop Movement (1970s–1980s)

Born in the Bronx, it evolved from block parties into a global cultural force.
Key Figures:

• DJ Kool Herc (founder of hip-hop)
• Grandmaster Flash (DJ, innovator)
• Afrika Bambaataa (DJ, founder of Zulu Nation)
• Run-D.M.C. (pioneering hip-hop group)
• The Sugarhill Gang (rappers)

23. New York's Sex Industry (1970s–1990s)

During this period, New York’s sex industry thrived, particularly in Midtown’s 42nd Street area, nicknamed "The Deuce." This era saw a boom in adult theaters, strip clubs, and prostitution, fueled by the city’s economic decline and changing attitudes toward sexuality. The industry was heavily tied to art, activism, and nightlife.
Key Figures:

• Linda Lovelace (star of Deep Throat)
• Annie Sprinkle (sex worker turned performance artist and activist)
• Vanessa del Rio (adult film star)
• Al Goldstein (founder of Screw magazine)
• Gloria Leonard (adult film actress and editor of High Society)

24. Graffiti and Street Art Movement (1970s–Present)

The subways and streets of New York became a canvas for graffiti artists, evolving into a global art form.
Key Figures:

• TAKI 183 (early graffiti pioneer)
• Lee Quiñones (graffiti artist, featured in Wild Style)
• Dondi White (graffiti legend)
• Futura 2000 (graffiti artist turned fine artist)
• Lady Pink (one of the first female graffiti artists)

25. Ballroom and Vogue Scene (1980s–Present)

An LGBTQ+ underground culture celebrating self-expression through fashion and performance in balls.
Key Figures:

• Willi Ninja (vogue pioneer)
• Pepper LaBeija (House of LaBeija leader)
• Dorian Corey (drag queen, activist)
• Venus Xtravaganza (figure in Paris Is Burning)
• Octavia St. Laurent (model, activist)

26. East Village Art Scene (1980s)

A gritty, experimental art scene blending street art, punk, and avant-garde.
Key Figures:

• Keith Haring (street artist)
• Jean-Michel Basquiat (graffiti artist turned icon)
• Kenny Scharf (pop surrealist)
• Fab 5 Freddy (graffiti artist, hip-hop ambassador)
• Nan Goldin (photographer)

27. Golden Age of New York Hip-Hop (1980s–1990s)

During this period, New York was the epicenter of hip-hop, shaping the genre with its gritty storytelling, innovative beats, and lyrical prowess. The East Coast rap scene dominated the 1990s, with artists like Biggie and Jay-Z becoming cultural icons. This era also saw the infamous East Coast vs. West Coast rivalry.
Key Figures:

• The Notorious B.I.G.(legendary rapper)
• Jay-Z (rapper and entrepreneur)
• Nas (poetic rapper)
• Wu-Tang Clan (rap collective)
• Lil’ Kim (groundbreaking female rapper)

28. Hardcore Punk Scene (Early 1980s–1990s)

The hardcore punk scene in New York was an offshoot of the punk movement, characterized by faster, heavier music and a fiercely DIY ethos. The scene flourished in venues like CBGB and ABC No Rio, often intersecting with skateboarding, zine culture, and political activism.
Key Figures:

• Agnostic Front (pioneers of NY hardcore)
• Bad Brains (DC transplants who heavily influenced the NY scene)
• Cro-Mags (blend of hardcore and metal)
• Gorilla Biscuits (straight edge icons)
• Sick of It All (hardcore legends with enduring influence)

29. 1990s Rave Culture

Raves brought electronic music, psychedelic visuals, and a DIY ethos to abandoned warehouses and underground clubs.
Key Figures:

• Moby (DJ, electronic artist)
• Frankie Bones (rave pioneer, DJ)
• Junior Vasquez (DJ, producer)
• Danny Tenaglia (house DJ)
• Richie Hawtin (DJ, producer)

30. Indie Rock and Alternative Scene (1990s–2000s)

Brooklyn emerged as a hub for indie and alternative music, with DIY ethics and experimental sounds.
Key Figures:

• The Strokes (indie rock band)
• Yeah Yeah Yeahs (band, Karen O as lead)
• Vampire Weekend (indie band)
• Interpol (post-punk revival band)
• TV on the Radio (art rock band)

31. The Digital Art Scene (1990s–Present)

As technology and the internet became increasingly influential, digital art emerged as a unique and rapidly evolving form. New York has been home to many innovators in digital, internet-based, and interactive art. Key Figures:

• Rafman (digital artist, video art)
• Cory Arcangel (artist, programmer)
• Petra Cortright (digital painter, video artist)
• JODI (pioneering digital art duo)
• Ryan Trecartin (video artist)

32. Y2K Club Kid Revival (2000s)

A resurgence of flamboyant nightlife, inspired by the original Club Kids of the 1990s, combining rave culture and avant-garde fashion.
Key Figures:

• Susanne Bartsch (party organizer)
• Amanda Lepore (icon, performer)
• Kenny Kenny (photographer, doorman)
• Sophia Lamar (trans performer and club figure)
• Ladyfag (nightlife curator)

33. Contemporary Art and Social Media Influence (2010s–Present)

New York remains a leader in global contemporary art, blending social media, activism, and digital trends.
Key Figures:

• Tschabalala Self (painter)
• Kehinde Wiley (portrait artist)
• Jordan Casteel (painter)
• Virgil Abloh (designer bridging art and fashion)
• Laurie Anderson (performance artist, experimental musician)

Did you know you can potentially find old photos of your NYC homes or apartments from decades ago on the New York City Municipal Archives website?

It's a fun and fascinating resource for discovering the history of your building or neighborhood! Have fun searching! Please do let me know in the comments if you were able to find any pictures of your homes :)

Does anyone know if women were allowed to attend baseball games in 1939? More specifically, were they allowed in Yankee Stadium?

https://preview.redd.it/ry90aktp6mde1.jpg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=253e5bb18ce2296a9f3de34f39d83b0004ec66a8

hey fellow nyc history-heads! i host a comedy show happening 1/25 that i think you'd all really enjoy. The Power Joker is a late-night talk show hosted by Robert Moses. Think The Tonight Show meets Colbert Report, but all about infrastructure and the built-environment in NYC. our November show was all about congestion pricing and...let's just say Kathy might was been tuning in. our next show is about accessibility in NYC and will feature disability justice organizer Eman Rimawi-Doster, comedians Shannon DeVido (The Other Two, Lucky Hank) and Ashley Glicken (Clickhole), journalist Tim Donnelly (NY Groove, Hell Gate, Vice), and music from Josh Nasser (spotify). it's gonna be a ton of fun and tickets are going fast (no joke; we sold out last time).

Saturday, 1/25, 7:00pm

Caveat - 21A Clinton St (show is also available to stream!!)

Tickets: https://caveat.nyc/events/the-power-joker-a-robert-moses-comedy-show-1-25-2025

use code PJREDDIT to save $5

thanks for reading. maybe i'll see you at NY Historical one of these days (i'm a member).

- evan