1625 when the settlement of New Amsterdam was established in Manhattan
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A birthday festival will be held Monday at the St. George Ferry Terminal Plaza and Esplanade, as the Empire State Building glows in blue, white and orange to commemorate the day Dutch, French and Belgian settlers made their home in present-day South Beach 350 years ago.
The colors acknowledge a flag designed in 1625 when the settlement of New Amsterdam was established in Manhattan. They are still used today in the New York City flag.
Staten Islanders can view the Empire State Building lights when they go on at dusk during a music and craft festival sponsored by si350 and running from 5 to 8 p.m.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg is scheduled to speak at 7:15 p.m. on the esplanade near the Richmond County Ballpark at St. George. A representative from the Embassy of the Netherlands is expected to attend.
Robert Coghlan, chairman of si350, requested the lights on behalf of his organization, and his was among a select few to be accepted from hundreds of inquiries each year. The lights will be on until 2 a.m. Tuesday.
