Day 3: “The Greatest City in the World”

We awoke after a tumultuous night because I was excited about the next

day’s adventures and I also stubbed my toe on the bedframe overnight.

We began on the Staten Island Ferry, and as we crossed, we saw the

Statue of Liberty (a gift given to us by the French) I thought of its inscription

“bring me your tired your poor your huddled masses” and thought “what has

happened to us?” Does the nation still embrace the import of these words?

After we disembarked, we made our way through Battery Park. Historical

sidenote, Battery Park is named for the artillery batteries that were positioned

there to protect the settlement behind them. In fact, the British occupied much

of Battery Park itself. During Evacuation Day, the day when the British Army

left via Manhattan, the Battery opened fire in celebration as the American flag

was raised.

We wanted to go to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island because it is a

huge part of American History, this Island was the entry point for many

immigrants from Europe. That trip would be an adventure for another day.

We ventured on to Trinity Church where Alexander Hamilton is buried

along with his wife Elizabeth and son Phillip. Alexander Hamilton was not only

one of the nation’s Founding Fathers but he was also the countries first

Treasury Secretary, but he was also. He was born in Charleston, Nevis out of

wedlock. In his teens he was sent to New York; however, he took an early

interest in the Revolution and joined the Colonial Militia, and in 1777 became

an Aide to General George Washington of the Continental Army. Alexander

Hamilton argued for the Constitution and along with John Jay and James

Madison, wrote a series of essays defending the new Constitution called The

Federalist Papers.

From 1789-1795, Hamilton faithfully served as our nation’s first

Treasury Secretary. He was also responsible for being the founder of the U.S.

Coast Guard and started the New York Post. Unfortunately, tragedy befell the

Hamilton family when his son Philip Hamilton was shot and killed in a duel.

This single event devastated the Hamilton Family. Alexander’s own glorious life

was cut short in 1804 when he was killed in a duel with Aaron Burr who was

Vice President. His monument says “The Patriot of Incorruptible Integrity, The

Soldier of approved Valour, The Statesman of Consummate Wisdom. Whose

talents and virtues will be admired.”

After spending time at Hamilton’s Grave, we made our way to the 9/11

Memorial and the Freedom Tower. It was eerie to think that decades ago The

Twin Towers stood there; I was in 2nd Grade when this event took place. We

saw the memorial and the new Freedom Tower which now stands in their

place.