Skip to main content

Peter Stuyvesant

The British seize Manhattan from the Dutch in 1664 — and alter the trajectory of North American history

On September 5, 1664, two men faced one another across a small stretch of water.

The people who stand ready to trade their lives for ours are part of a tradition that goes back 400 years

Enjoy our work? Help us keep going.

Now in its 75th year, American Heritage relies on contributions from readers like you to survive. You can support this magazine of trusted historical writing and the volunteers that sustain it by donating today.

Donate