new york city

The Incredible Story Of Phyllis Penzo, The Waitress Who Got A Lottery Ticket As A Tip — And Won $3 Million

Phyllis Penzo completely forgot that she'd agreed to choose lottery numbers with one of her regular customers in lieu of a tip — until Robert Cunningham walked back into Sal's Pizzeria with a $6 million winning ticket in March 1984.

By Marco Margaritoff • Jun 29, 2026

The Incredible Story Of Phyllis Penzo, The Waitress Who Got A Lottery Ticket As A Tip — And Won $3 Million

Phyllis Penzo completely forgot that she'd agreed to choose lottery numbers with one of her regular customers in lieu of a tip — until Robert Cunningham walked back into Sal's Pizzeria with a $6 million winning ticket in March 1984.

By Marco Margaritoff • June 29, 2026

The New York City Farm Colony: Inside The Crumbling Ruins Of Staten Island’s 19th-Century ‘Poor Farm’

The New York City Farm Colony lies in ruins today, but it has a dark past as a hospital and poorhouse — and it's even connected to serial killers and boogeymen.

By Erin Kelly • Jun 25, 2026

The New York City Farm Colony: Inside The Crumbling Ruins Of Staten Island’s 19th-Century ‘Poor Farm’

The New York City Farm Colony lies in ruins today, but it has a dark past as a hospital and poorhouse — and it's even connected to serial killers and boogeymen.

By Erin Kelly • June 25, 2026

The Real Story Of The Bowery Boys And Bill The Butcher That Gangs Of New York Didn’t Tell

While Martin Scorsese's 2002 drama about the gang wars of 19th-century Manhattan captured the violence of the feud between the Dead Rabbits and Bill the Butcher's Natives, the real Bowery Boys were even more vicious than portrayed onscreen.

By Katie Serena • Jun 12, 2026

The Real Story Of The Bowery Boys And Bill The Butcher That Gangs Of New York Didn’t Tell

While Martin Scorsese's 2002 drama about the gang wars of 19th-century Manhattan captured the violence of the feud between the Dead Rabbits and Bill the Butcher's Natives, the real Bowery Boys were even more vicious than portrayed onscreen.

By Katie Serena • June 12, 2026

The Collyer Brothers, The New York City Hoarders Found Dead In 1947 — Surrounded By 120 Tons Of Rubbish

The Collyer brothers hoarded countless items inside their Harlem brownstone for years, and when they died, police found mountains of junk ranging from ceiling-high stacks of newspapers to 14 pianos.

By Gabe Paoletti • Jun 10, 2026

The Collyer Brothers, The New York City Hoarders Found Dead In 1947 — Surrounded By 120 Tons Of Rubbish

The Collyer brothers hoarded countless items inside their Harlem brownstone for years, and when they died, police found mountains of junk ranging from ceiling-high stacks of newspapers to 14 pianos.

By Gabe Paoletti • June 10, 2026

The Crimes Of Matias Reyes, The Career Criminal Whose Confession Exonerated The Central Park Five

In Central Park on April 19, 1989, Matias Reyes beat and raped a jogger named Trisha Meili. A year later, five innocent teenagers would be found guilty of his crimes.

By Marco Margaritoff • May 27, 2026

The Crimes Of Matias Reyes, The Career Criminal Whose Confession Exonerated The Central Park Five

In Central Park on April 19, 1989, Matias Reyes beat and raped a jogger named Trisha Meili. A year later, five innocent teenagers would be found guilty of his crimes.

By Marco Margaritoff • May 27, 2026

30 Historical Photos Of Times Square, The ‘Crossroads Of The World’

Times Square rose to prominence as a hub for news and commerce in early 20th century New York CIty, but it became a center of illicit activity for several decades before its revitalization in the 1990s.

By Joel Stice • May 24, 2026

30 Historical Photos Of Times Square, The ‘Crossroads Of The World’

Times Square rose to prominence as a hub for news and commerce in early 20th century New York CIty, but it became a center of illicit activity for several decades before its revitalization in the 1990s.

By Joel Stice • May 24, 2026

The Dead Rabbits: The Story Behind One Of 19th-Century New York’s Most Notorious Gangs

Composed of Irish immigrants, the Dead Rabbits controlled territory in Lower Manhattan and the Five Points — and frequently brawled with the nativist Bowery Boys.

By Katie Serena • May 14, 2026

The Dead Rabbits: The Story Behind One Of 19th-Century New York’s Most Notorious Gangs

Composed of Irish immigrants, the Dead Rabbits controlled territory in Lower Manhattan and the Five Points — and frequently brawled with the nativist Bowery Boys.

By Katie Serena • May 14, 2026

The True Story Of ‘Dog Day Afternoon’: Inside The Wild Real-Life Bank Robbery That Inspired The Iconic Film

The real story of Dog Day Afternoon took place in August 1972, when a would-be bank robber named John Wojtowicz held up a Brooklyn bank for 14 hours.

By Rivy Lyon • May 13, 2026

The True Story Of ‘Dog Day Afternoon’: Inside The Wild Real-Life Bank Robbery That Inspired The Iconic Film

The real story of Dog Day Afternoon took place in August 1972, when a would-be bank robber named John Wojtowicz held up a Brooklyn bank for 14 hours.

By Rivy Lyon • May 13, 2026

The Tumultuous Life Of John Gotti Jr., The Son Of Infamous Mob Boss John Gotti

John "Junior" Gotti joined the Mafia in 1988, became the youngest capo in Gambino family history by the time he was 26, took over as acting boss in 1991 — and then walked away from it all.

By William DeLong • May 13, 2026

The Tumultuous Life Of John Gotti Jr., The Son Of Infamous Mob Boss John Gotti

John "Junior" Gotti joined the Mafia in 1988, became the youngest capo in Gambino family history by the time he was 26, took over as acting boss in 1991 — and then walked away from it all.

By William DeLong • May 13, 2026

When Crack Was King: 1980s New York In Photos

Before Carrie Bradshaw and Hannah Horvath, New York was host to the 1980s. And trust us, it wasn't all that pretty.

By Savannah Cox • May 9, 2026

When Crack Was King: 1980s New York In Photos

Before Carrie Bradshaw and Hannah Horvath, New York was host to the 1980s. And trust us, it wasn't all that pretty.

By Savannah Cox • May 9, 2026

The Tragic Story Of Audrey Munson, The ‘American Venus’ Who Spent Over Six Decades Locked Away In An Asylum

Audrey Munson was America's original "triple threat." Unfortunately, her story went from triumph to tragedy as mental illness consumed her life.

By Krissy Howard • May 6, 2026

The Tragic Story Of Audrey Munson, The ‘American Venus’ Who Spent Over Six Decades Locked Away In An Asylum

Audrey Munson was America's original "triple threat." Unfortunately, her story went from triumph to tragedy as mental illness consumed her life.

By Krissy Howard • May 6, 2026

33 Images Of New York’s Tenements, The Run-Down Housing Millions Of Immigrants Inhabited In The Early 20th Century

For decades, millions of people lived in New York City's tenements — which were notoriously cramped, dark, poorly maintained, and often hotbeds of disease.

By Elisabeth Sherman • Apr 29, 2026

33 Images Of New York’s Tenements, The Run-Down Housing Millions Of Immigrants Inhabited In The Early 20th Century

For decades, millions of people lived in New York City's tenements — which were notoriously cramped, dark, poorly maintained, and often hotbeds of disease.

By Elisabeth Sherman • April 29, 2026