It was strange, it was messy, and it was the first battle of the American Revolution following the Declaration of Independence. Most people also call it the Battle of Long Island. To a group of re-enactors and enthusiasts, as well as other proud Brooklynites, however, it's called the Battle of Brooklyn, thank you very much, and on Sunday, the yearly re-enactors' event that celebrates its place in history came around once again in Green-Wood Cemetery. It was a beautiful (if hot) day, and, if nothing else, this is way more interesting than the ol' back-and-forth between Hasids and hipsters. Check out those uniforms! more ›

Every year the Battle of Brooklyn is recreated at Green-Wood Cemetery, and this year that's happening this Sunday! (If you spot any re-enactors, send us your photos!) Here's our recap of what exactly went down back in 1776; it was the first major battle of the American Revolutionary War. more ›

The annual Kiss-In is about to go down in Times Square. Registration is currently open for the event tomorrow, which celebrates the anniversary of the end of World War II, and urges couples to recreate that now iconic kiss between two strangers in 1945. The reenactment happens at noon, and the first 200 participating attendees will receive a complimentary commemorative Times Square sailor's cap or rose—bonus points for wearing a costume. Earlier this year, Edith Shain, the nurse in the original photo, died at the age of 91—she never found out who the stranger was who grabbed her on that day. more ›

The annual Civil War Weekend on Governors Island took place this past Saturday and Sunday, with visitors getting a chance to "meet" the men and women of the Governors Island Garrison during the summer of 1863. Here's a look back at the role Governors Island played during that time, noting: "Governors Island in the New York City litany of isles that served the Union during the Civil War as prison camps for captured Confederates. Its Castle Williams and Fort Jay (aka Fort Columbus) housed rebel POWs—troops and commissioned officers, respectively. more ›

It may be The Battle of Long Island to England and the rest of America—including Queens—but from Bath Beach, where the Brits landed 20,000 troops, to East New York, where they executed the nifty turn that outflanked the rebels, it's known as the Battle of Brooklyn—if it's known at all. This weekend "Brookland" (as it was known) offers a series of events that promise to show how "the Kinges Countie" became anything but—including a reenactment of the battle itself, redcoats and all, in Green-Wood Cemetery. more ›

If you didn't grow up with extended family members partaking in Civil War reenactments, then you always have the annual Civil War Weekend on Governors Island to familiarize yourself. This year's event took place on Saturday, and istolethetv's flickr has full visual documentation, also noting that "the National Park Service, 119th New York Volunteers, The GawdAwful Mess and Battery G of the First Pennsylvania Light Artillery, and the Soldiers of the First Minnesota provided family friendly activities, living history demonstrations, music and other programs designed to introduce people to the men and women of the Governors Island Garrison and Confederates imprisoned on the Island." In the early 1800s Castle Williams and Fort Jay were constructed on the island, and used as defensive structures from the Revolution onward. Also, here is a Tropic Thunder/Guns n' Roses "Civil War" mash-up. more ›

Feeling lucky? Following the anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic (which took place yesterday, 97 years ago) the NY Post reports that people "are lining up to reserve a spot on a cruise ship that will follow the Titanic's ill-fated route in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the liner's trip to the bottom of the Atlantic." The ship will depart in April of 2012, and is expected to make it all the way to New York this time (fingers crossed!). How much does a spot on the ship cost this time around? $3,000. Quite a deal considering that if they followed the original prices today, it would cost anywhere from $172 (third class) to $69,600 (first class)! The ticket price includes food served to "match the sumptuous menus on the original voyage; the entertainment will include music and dancing in the style featured in those glorious times and there will be a chance to hear first hand from historians who have studied the Titanic story." Let's hope they have enough life boats this time around. more ›