New York's Village Halloween Parade - 1974 - The world's largest Halloween parade and the U.S.’s only major nighttime parade. Known for its large puppets, more than 50 marching bands, and spontaneous participation, the parade follows a 1.4-mile route along Sixth Avenue. Originally rooted in New York’s queer community, the parade provided an inclusive, safe space for expression during a time when cross-dressing was widely prohibited, allowing members of the LGBTQ+ community to showcase creativity and pride. Today, it features 50,000 costumed participants, large puppets, and over 50 bands.

St. Patrick's Old Cathedral (Lower Manhattan) and Catacombs - 1809 - Since its opening over 200 years ago on the corner of Mott and Prince Streets in the Nolita section of lower Manhattan, its spiritual mission continues to be the great beacon for the Catholic Faithful and an American symbol of the triumph of religious freedom. Originally the worship center for a largely impoverished Irish community, St. Patrick's, over decades, expanded to provide for the spiritual and material needs of a diverse community, including Italian, African American, Chinese, and Vietnamese Catholics.For more than 200 years, the grounds of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral have served as a sacred burial place for New York’s Catholic faithful. Revived in 2012, the Basilica now offers limited interment for cremated remains in Manhattan’s only Catholic cemetery. Surrounded by a landmarked brick wall, the historic grounds feature columbaria, catacombs dating to the early 1800s, and a serene landscape of pathways and trees.

The Green-Wood Cemetery Education and Welcome Center - 2023 - The Green-Wood Cemetery Education and Welcome Center is a newly constructed facility designed to serve as a public gateway to one of Brooklyn’s most historic landscapes. Located adjacent to the landmarked Weir Greenhouse, the center consolidates Green-Wood’s educational, archival, and visitor services into a single, purpose-built space. Its design by Architecture Research Office (ARO) reflects a balance between contemporary sustainability and sensitivity to the cemetery’s 19th-century context. The building’s L-shaped footprint wraps around the greenhouse, forming a new entry courtyard and framing the visitor experience from the moment of arrival.Architecturally, the center features an aluminum curtain wall screened with custom glazed terra cotta baguettes, a material choice that nods to both durability and historic texture. The project is targeting LEED Gold certification, aligning with Green-Wood’s broader environmental goals. Inside, the facility houses exhibition galleries, classrooms, a research center, staff offices, and flexible event spaces. These additions support Green-Wood’s evolving role not just as a burial ground, but as a site of public history, ecological stewardship, and civic engagement.Founded in 1838, Green-Wood Cemetery predates Central Park and helped shape the rural cemetery movement in the United States. It is the final resting place of over half a million individuals, including figures such as Leonard Bernstein, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Susan McKinney Steward. The new Education and Welcome Center marks a shift in how cemeteries function in urban life—serving not only as places of mourning, but also as platforms for learning, reflection, and community programming.

Inglewood Park Cemetery - 1905 - In 1905, a group of businessmen pooled their resources to form the Inglewood Park Cemetery Association. At that time, the Centinela Valley was a sparsely settled area of farms and small homes. Funeral processions came from Los Angeles on horse-drawn flat carts. Later, with the spread of the railroads, mourners arrived at the cemetery in specially designed funeral cars like the Descanso. The first interment was made on July 20, 1906. There were a total of 32 interments during the first year, a number which was to increase dramatically over the years. In 1913, seeing the possibilities for affordable crypt entombment— a means of burial usually reserved for the well-to-do in those days—Inglewood Park built the first community mausoleum in the state of California. Many of the original settlers of the Centinela Valley and the South Bay region are entombed in Inglewood Mausoleum, as are a number of Civil War Veterans. Inglewood Mausoleum was to be only the first in a series of structures to be added over the years, making “the burial of kings” available to all in the community. The Cemetery began building a series of Mausoleums culminating in the Sunset Mission Mausoleum providing 30,000 interment spaces which is the largest in the nation. The Cemetery also has a resident stained glass artist. There are currently about 400,000 people interred there including many performers and athletes a few of whom are listed here.

Trinity Cemetery and Mausoleum - 1697 - Trinity Cemetery is the only remaining active cemetery in Manhattan. Site of the graves of John James Audubon, Alfred Tennyson Dickens, John Jacob Astor, and other eminent past citizens of New York City. Two bronze tablets mark the spot where some of the fiercest fighting of the Revolutionary War occurred during the Battle of Washington Heights. Each Christmas, several hundred New Yorkers participate in a candlelight ceremony at the grave of Clement Clarke Moore, son of one of Trinity's past rectors and author of the beloved poem "A Visit From St. Nicholas."

New York City Marble Cemetery - 1831 - The New York City Marble Cemetery is a historic cemetery founded in 1831, and located at 52-74 East 2nd Street between First and Second Avenues in the East Village neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City. The cemetery has 258 underground burial vaults constructed of Tuckahoe marble on the site.The New York City Marble Cemetery, which was the city's second non-sectarian burial place, should not be confused with the nearby New York Marble Cemetery one block west, which was the first, having been established one year earlier. Both cemeteries were designated New York City landmarks in 1969, and in 1980 both were added to the National Register of Historic Places.

The Mystery of Marie Rogêt - 1841 - Mary Cecilia Rogers, known as the "Beautiful Cigar Girl," became the subject of national intrigue after her body was found in the Hudson River in 1841. Initially believed to be a victim of gang violence, rumors later surfaced that she died during a failed abortion. Her fiancé, Daniel Payne, committed suicide shortly after her death, adding to the mystery. Despite widespread attention, the true circumstances of Rogers' death remain unknown.When Mary Rogers murdered body was found near a cave near the shores of New Jersey, Anderson became one of the prime suspects. Of all the suspects, Anderson was the only one to give a statement which never appeared in the press; both his arrest and his statement were hushed by influential Tammany politicians who intervened on his behalf. nevertheless, Anderson's arrest prevented him from later being nominated by Tammany hall for Mayor of New York City.

Hangman's Elm - 1680 - Hangman's Elm is believed to be Manhattan's oldest tree, dating back more than 300 years. Although it is famously known as the "Hanging Tree," historians have found no evidence that executions ever took place from its branches.The legend likely grew from Washington Square's history as a potter's field and execution site. The only documented execution nearby was that of Rose Butler in 1820, who was hanged from a gallows some distance away. Even so, the tree's age, imposing presence, and proximity to thousands of burials have made it one of New York City's most enduring ghost-story landmarks.

Smallpox Memorial Hospital - 1856 - The 100-bed hospital opened when the area was known as Blackwell's Island, now known as Roosevelt Island. A century after it opened, the hospital was closed, and the building eventually fell into disrepair. It is the only ruin in the city with that designation. After the completion of an ongoing $4.5 million stabilization project, the Smallpox Hospital ruins will be open to the public

The House of Death - 1855 - A historic 4-story Greek Revival brownstone in Greenwich Village, New York City, widely known in urban folklore as the ‘House of Death’.  The house is said to have seen about 22 deaths in its lifespan.

Green-Wood Cemetery - Green-Wood Cemetery is a historic and prominent cemetery located in Brooklyn, New York. Established in 1838, it spans over 478 acres and is known for its beautiful art, history, and natural landscapes. The cemetery is a resting place for approximately 600,000 graves and is recognized for its distinctive arboretum and striking landscapes. It’s also a cultural hub, hosting various events and educational programs.A place of historical significance, it offers a unique glimpse into the past with its elaborate mausoleums, statues, and monuments. Designated a National Historic Landmark since 2006, it's significance lies in its art, architecture, landscaping, and history. Its popularity in the 19th century helped inspire the creation of public parks, including New York City’s Central and Prospect Parks. The cemetery features some of the finest examples of 19th-century monuments, mausoleums, and sculptures. It is the final resting place for many notable individuals, which makes it a rich source of historical narratives. Additionally, the grounds of Green-Wood were part of the Battle of Long Island during the Revolutionary War, adding to its historical significance. Today, it serves as a cultural institution and an outdoor museum that tells the history and evokes the cultures of Brooklyn, the city, and the nation.

Yellow Fever Epidemic in New York - 1668 - Yellow Fever epidemic was the earliest recorded epidemic in America