"Huddled masses" arrived; some singular personalities emerged. New York City has been America's defining port of entry for nearly four centuries.

More immigrants have come to New York than all other United States entry points combined. Not surprisingly, City of Dreams is peopled with memorable characters: to name only two, Alexander Hamilton, the young man from the Caribbean on his way to becoming an American Founding Father; and Dominican-born Oscar de la Renta, the noted couturier.

There are lots more where they came from.

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