Biggest New York Events Of The 2010s
A decade just half over has already had its share of astonishing events in the city that never sleeps. From the ridiculous to the sublime, New Yorkers have continued to do what we have always done; show up, give our best and persevere. As the 2010s tick onward, these events will continue to define our current decade.
The Times Square Car Bombing Attempt: May 1, 2010
Times Square is no stranger to fireworks, but when a bomb, crudely cobbled together with propane, gasoline and fireworks, was discovered smoking in a Nissan Pathfinder in its heart, evacuation, not revelry, resulted. Mercifully, the bomb was discovered prior to full detonation by two alarmed street vendors and war veterans, who pointed it out to a mounted police officer on patrol.
The vendors, Lance Orton and Duane Jackson, both served our country in Vietnam. The dark green SUV was recorded on surveillance tape as being parked erratically and left with hazard lights blazing and engine running. The officer, recognizing the smell of gun powder, called for assistance. Investigation of the device and evacuation quickly ensued. The malfunctioning bomb was in the process of detonation but did not explode.
The sloppy bomber was quickly identified as Pakistani-born Connecticut resident Faisal Shahzad. Shahzad, a U.S. citizen, admitted to being trained as a terrorist in his native Pakistan, where the attack was launched. More than a dozen people in that country aided Shahzad in the failed plot, which is thought to have been financed by the Pakistani Taliban. Charged with attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction and other federal charges, including attempting an act of terrorism, Shahzad was sentenced to life in prison.
The Weinergate Sexting Scandal Erupts: May 27, 2011
By all accounts, popular New York Congressman Anthony Weiner was going places. Weiner and his wife, the beautiful and well-connected political aide to Hillary Clinton, Huma Abedin, were poised to be New York's reigning political couple. Some thought the White House might even be in their future when Weiner's future crashed and burned around him, largely by his own hand.
Despite initial protestations to the contrary, Weiner eventually admitted his habit of using the social media website, Twitter, as a sexting tool, acknowledging that he intentionally sent lurid photos of himself to several young women via text.
Weiner resigned from Congress but made another political run, this time for the mayoralty, in 2013. During this time, additional sexting escapades largely perpetrated under the alias Carlos Danger were again uncovered. Despite public humiliation and a multitude of requests for his withdrawal from the race, Weiner remained a candidate, coming in dead last with less than five percent of the primary vote.
The Occupy Wall Street Movement: September 17, 2011
Instigated by a Canadian-run, anti-consumerist magazine, the Occupy Wall Street Movement was a protest geared towards ending financial inequality. Based in Wall Street's Zuccotti Park, the protesters credo was, "We are the 99 percent."
Citing a desire to end the political influence of big business, as well as Wall Street corruption, income disparity and broad-based greed, the protest continued to grow The protestors were forcibly evicted from the park two months later. Occupy Wall Street garnered national attention, sparking similar types of demonstrations in other countries.
Hurricane Sandy Strikes: October 29, 2012
Coined the "Storm of the Century," Hurricane Sandy unleashed nature's fury on all of New York State and the entire eastern seaboard. Sandy's devastation was unparalleled by any other natural disaster in the region. Sandy was responsible for 285 fatalities, 53 of which took place in the New York area. The devastation was ruinous to homes and property – Breezy Point alone lost over 100 homes, due to a decimating electrical fire associated with the storm.
Staten Island was severely hit as were parts of Brooklyn and Long Island. The storm caused hospital evacuations and closed down the New York Stock Exchange, public school system and transportation network. Power outages and gas shortages continued to plague hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers after Sandy ended, and some neighborhoods remained without power for months following the disaster. The storm cost the city billions in infrastructural damages.
The Freedom Tower Opens for Business: November 3, 2014
Shining down on New Yorkers like a welcoming beacon, One World Trade Center, also called the Freedom Tower, is currently the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere. Built on the former site of 6 World Trade Center which was destroyed on 9/11, the Freedom Tower reaches a symbolic height of 1,776 feet in symbolic deference to the year the Declaration of Independence was signed. The Tower was developed by The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and office space leasing is available through the Durst Organization.
Corey Whelan is a freelance writer in New York. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.