On this date in...

1783...New York celebrates Evacuation Day as George Washington and his victorious troops re-enter the city and the defeated British evacuate New York – their last military stronghold during the Revolutionary War.

1864...As the Civil War begins to wind down, Confederates set fire to hotels, theaters and stores around Manhattan in a desperate act of terrorism. But most fires are quickly put out and little damage is done.

1949...Hoofer Bill "Bojangles" Robinson dies in Manhattan at age 71. Crowds later line the streets from Harlem to Times Square to view his funeral procession.