History of the City of Greater New York for kids
The modern New York City is composed of five boroughs Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, Staten Island and the Bronx. But this wasn't always the case. Close ties started between the boroughs in 1865 when the Metropolitan Fire District united the fire departments of New York and Brooklyn. However the two cities of Brooklyn and New York were inexorably drawn together on May 24, 1883 when the Brooklyn Bridge was opened, connecting the cities of New York (Manhattan) and Brooklyn. Also see facts about modern New York City.

The Greater New York Charter
The Greater New York Charter was submitted to the Legislature of the State of New York, on February 20, 1897. The Greater New York Charter was:

"An Act to Unite Into One Municipality Under the Corporate Name of the City of New York, the Various Communities Lying in and about New York Harbor, Including the City and County of New York, the City of Brooklyn and the County of Kings, the County of Richmond and Part of the County of Queens, and to Provide for the Government thereof."

City of Greater New York for kids: The Name
The name "City of Greater New York" was never a legal or official designation as both the original charter of 1898 and the later one of 1938 use the name of the "City of New York".

Facts about the City of Greater New York: Fun Facts for Kids
History and interesting info about City of Greater New York. Fast Facts for kids are detailed below. The history and information is told in a series of fun facts providing a simple method of relating to construction of City of Greater New York. Cool, fun and interesting stats and facts for kids about the City of Greater New York. For additional facts refer to the History of Urbanization in America.

In 1855, the City of Brooklyn annexed Williamsburg and Bushwick, forming what became the third most populated city in America.

In 1865 the Metropolitan Fire District united the fire departments of New York and Brooklyn

In 1870, Long Island City was formed in Queens.

In 1874, New York City annexed what is now called the West Bronx, west of the Bronx River.

In 1883 the Brooklyn Bridge was opened that connected the cities of New York (Manhattan) and Brooklyn.

Between 1886 and 1896 Brooklyn annexed the remainder of Kings County.

Between 1886 and 1896 the issue of consolidation of the outlying cities, meaning the union under one government, grew more pressing.

In 1890 the New York Legislature appointed a committee to investigate the issue of consolidation. Considerable discussions took place on the subject and eventually it was agreed that a referendum should be undertaken to assess the opinions of the inhabitants of the cities.

The result of the referendum, in February, 1897, showed a large majority in favor of uniting the cities

On January 1, 1898, a municipal government was created by new legislation from the state legislature and all the municipal governments within the boroughs were abolished

The Boroughs of Manhattan and the Bronx covered the original city and the rest of New York County.

The Borough of Brooklyn consisted of the City of Brooklyn as well as several municipalities in eastern Kings County. (Municipalities are a city or town incorporated for local self-government)

The Borough of Queens was established in western Queens County and included Long Island City, Astoria and Flushing.

The Borough of Staten Island contained all of Richmond County.

The government of the expanded City of New York was vested in a mayor and a municipal assembly, which consisted of two branches elected by the people.

The population at the time was about 3,400,000.

The area of Greater New York was 317.77 square miles and Its greatest width, from the Hudson River to the boundary line across Long Island beyond Creedmoor is 16 miles

The length, from the southern end of Staten Island to the northern limits of Yonkers, is 32 miles.

Within the boundaries were the cities of New York, Brooklyn, Jamaica, Long Island City and all of Staten Island, the western end of Long Island, Coney Island, Rockaway, Willets' Point, Fort Schuyler, Throggs' Neck, Westchester, Baychester, Valley Stream, Flushing, Whitestone, College Point, Pelham Manor, Van Cortlandt, Riverdale, and Spuyten Devil.

The opening of the subway in 1904 helped to unite the new city even further to become a world center for industry, commerce, and communication.

The city of New York is now a major tourist destination and millions of tourists flock to enjoy the sights of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, Brooklyn Bridge, Central Park, the NYC Museums, Bronx Zoo, Prospect Park, Lincoln Center, Coney Island,  the 9/11 Memorial and the One World Trade Center (1WTC).