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==History==

==History==

The first [[Europeans]] to settle in what is now New York were the [[Dutch]],  establishing the first permanent community in 1624 calling it New Netherland.  The [[British]] conquered the colony in 1664 and renamed it New York in honor of the [[Duke of York]].

The first [[Europe]]ans to settle in what is now New York were the [[Dutch]],  establishing the first permanent community in 1624 calling it New Netherland.  The [[British]] conquered the colony in 1664 and renamed it New York in honor of the [[Duke of York]].

The colony was ruled by Great Britain for just over a century when New York declared its independence on July 9, 1776.  A year later, on April 20th, 1777, New York adopted its first constitution.

The colony was ruled by Great Britain for just over a century when New York declared its independence on July 9, 1776.  A year later, on April 20th, 1777, New York adopted its first constitution.