September 1, 1795: James Gordon Bennett, founder of the New York Herald, which became the country’s most influential and the world’s largest newspaper. It became best known for his sensational and often startling coverage of scandalous “news”, often obtained through observations made through keyholes.

Green-Wood's Battle of Brooklyn Commemoration Day occurred two days ago--and it was the best one yet. The day started with a trolley tour of the Revolutionary War battlefield within Green-Wood's boundaries. On this land, 234 years ago, Patriot and British soldiers died in battle.

The Battle of Brooklyn was a big deal.

Richard Anthony Proctor (1837-1888), born in England, attended college, then became an accountant. However, he soon developed an interest in astronomy, reading, then writing, about it. He became a prominent astronomer, researching, writing and lecturing.

Last week's the headline on the front page of the Wall Street Journal told the story: 

Of the more than half a million interred at Green-Wood Cemetery, few are remembered. Many died long ago, and their families and friends are long gone. So it is always comforting to learn of one person, here and there, who is remembered. Such an individual is William J. Florence (1831-1891), one of 19th century America's great actors.

One hundred years ago today, August 9, New York City's Mayor William J. Gaynor was about to embark on a well-earned vacation cruise when he was shot by a New York City watchman who recently had been fired from his job. Here's the dramatic photograph of Gaynor's wounding, taken just seconds after a shot had been fired into Gaynor's throat at point blank range.

In celebrating  some of Green-Wood’s most inspiring, influential and infamous permanent residents, the Green-Wood Historic Fund is putting the August Birthday spotlight on some fascinating people who helped changed the American political, cultural and scientific landscape of the 19th and 20th centuries.

On September 10, 2001, Steven Vincent was an art critic, living in the East Village. But the next day, September 11, the World Trade Center and the Pentagon were attacked, and the world changed. And so did Steven's world.

Since soon after its founding in 1838, Green-Wood Cemetery has been a popular place. It has been painted and photographed. It has been filmed and videotaped. It has appeared in movies and on television shows.