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Wall Street

society Maturity 11-13 Next article →

Wall Street is a famous street in New York City.

Wall Street Sign (1-9)
Wall Street Sign (1-9)

It is a very busy place for money and business.

Long ago, the street had a real wall.

Block-House and City Gate (foot of present Wall Street) 1674 New Amsterdam
Block-House and City Gate (foot of present Wall Street) 1674 New Amsterdam

The Dutch people built it in 1653. They used wood and dirt to make it. This wall helped keep the city safe. By 1699, the city grew too large for the wall. People took it down.

In the 1700s, the area changed. It was home to a slave market. This was a very sad and unfair time for many people.

New York slave market about 1730
New York slave market about 1730

Later, the street became a place for leaders. George Washington took his oath as president at Federal Hall.

Federal Hall and George Washington statue in New York City
Federal Hall and George Washington statue in New York City

In the 1800s, Wall Street became the money center of America. Traders used to meet under a tree to make deals. This helped start the New York Stock Exchange.

USA-NYC-New York Stock Exchange
USA-NYC-New York Stock Exchange

Today, many tall buildings and big banks stand on the street. It helps the whole world move money.

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🖼️ Images & Media (19)
File:Wall Street Sign (1-9).jpg
Wall Street Sign (1-9).jpg
File:Stad Amsterdam in Nieuw Nederland (City Amsterdam in New Netherland) Castello Plan 1660.jpg
Stad Amsterdam in Nieuw Nederland (City...
File:Block-House and City Gate (foot of present Wall Street) 1674 New Amsterdam.jpg
Block-House and City Gate (foot of...
File:Wall Street IRT 008c.JPG
Wall Street IRT 008c.JPG
File:New York slave market about 1730.jpg
New York slave market about 1730.jpg
File:New York City Hall 1789b.jpg
New York City Hall 1789b.jpg
File:wall street 1867.jpg
wall street 1867.jpg
File:Brooklyn Museum - Wall Street Manhattan - George Bradford Brainerd.jpg
Brooklyn Museum - Wall Street Manhattan -...
File:Wallstreetbmb.jpg
Wallstreetbmb.jpg
File:Crowd outside nyse.jpg
Crowd outside nyse.jpg
File:1 Wall Street.jpg
1 Wall Street.jpg
File:Trinity Church NYC 004b.JPG
Trinity Church NYC 004b.JPG

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