New York’s nickname, “The Empire State,” was first used by George Washington in 1784. It reflects the state’s economic and technological dominance, and is reflected in the state motto “Excelsior.” The Empire State Building is a prominent landmark, and the state attempted to broaden the meaning of the nickname in 2001 by including other landmarks on license plates. Another, less commonly used, nickname is “The Excelsior State.” The nickname “The Knickerbocker State” has fallen out of favor.
New York state maintains its capital in downtown Albany, but its crown jewel, New York City, is largely responsible for the state’s nickname, “The Empire State.” Many point to George Washington as the first to pronounce the state nickname of New York. In 1784, the nation’s first president reportedly called the territory “the seat of empire,” alluding to its position of worldly dominance, particularly in economic and technological affairs.
Lawmakers officially adopted the state nickname of New York in the late 19th century, but historians note that it was Washington that started the trend a few centuries earlier, when it is said to have used the terminology in a few ways, most notably in a letter to the mayor of New York, James Duane. The flag, shield and state seal all reflect this spirit of empire, prominently displaying the state motto of “Excelsior”, which means “forever to the top”. “The Excelsior State” is another less commonly used state nickname of New York.
For four decades after its construction in 1931, the tallest skyscraper in the world stood in New York City’s Manhattan borough, aptly named the Empire State Building. It is still a popular landmark as of 2011. The World Trade Center became the tallest building in the city and the world in 1973. In 2001, however, when the twin towers were destroyed, the Empire State Building regained its title tallest skyscraper and symbol of dominance for the city, and possibly the world.
The state attempted to broaden the meaning of its moniker in early 2001. Instead of license plates declaring “The Empire State” and featuring a major New York City landmark – the French-given Statue of Liberty, the state switched to plaques bearing the nickname along with a collage of skyline views: the Adirondack Mountains, Niagara Falls and Manhattan. This offered a more complete view of the entire state and not just New York City.
Another New York state nickname that has fallen out of favor is “The Knickerbocker State.” This is in reference to a popular style of trousers worn by Dutch settlers. Although the Dutch were among the first settlers, this moniker quickly became insufficient to describe the city’s burgeoning progression towards becoming the heart of the American melting pot.
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