On this date in...

1637...The leader of the New Netherlands, Wouter Van Twiller, makes a deal with the Canarsee Indians for the island now known as Governor's Island. He is believed to have obtained the land for his personal use, in exchange for two axe heads, a string of beads, and some iron nails.

1941...Joe Louis defends his heavyweight title by knocking out Billy Conn at the Polo Grounds.

2000...Archbishop Edward Egan is officially installed as the head of the New York Archdiocese.