Celebrating Grand Central Terminal’s centennial

“Sex and the City” actress Cynthia Nixon joined New York in celebration of Grand Central Terminal’s centennial celebration. Nixon is a current resident in New York.  “Sex in the City” television show portrayed four women living and working in New York.  Co-stars, Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon, Kim Catrall, and Kristin Davis taped the show all over New York City, tackling career and relationship issues while living in New York.Author and preservationist, Caroline Kennedy was present for the Grand Central Terminal’s 100the anniversary. Kennedy’s mother, the late Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, was an integral voice during the 70s to save the crumbling Terminal. A letter written by the late Kennedy Onanssis to then, former Mayor Abe Beame, in her plea to preserve the iconic Grand Central Terminal, was read by daughter Kennedy. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg joined in celebration at the Grand Central Terminal’s centennial on Feb. 1. The mayor began the ceremony with a moment of silence for to honor former Mayor Ed Koch who died that morning from congestive heart failure. Bloomberg remembered the former mayor during the ceremony how important his leadership was in the 70s when he took office at a time when the city was struggling financially.View the list »
New York celebrated in grand-style decked with red carpet entrances and band music playing for visitors early on Feb. 1.

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The Grand Central Terminal marked its 100th year anniversary in New York on Feb. 1. New York celebrated in grand-style decked with red carpet entrances and band music playing for visitors early Friday morning. In an exclusive interview with the event’s spokesperson for Grand Central Terminal, the NY Celebrity Examiner will take you first hand, with photos of dignitaries and celebrities who took part in the celebration.

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New York Mayor Bloomberg began the ceremony to not only celebrate Grand Central Terminal’s centennial, he also reserved time to celebrate former Mayor Edward Koch, who passed away during the early morning of Feb. 1.

In reference to the dire situation that New York City was facing financially during the 70s, the former Mayor Ed Koch, revived the city’s economy for over a decade while in office. "We almost lost this extraordinary building, if you remember, back in the '70s,” Bloomberg said. And as a matter of fact, at that time the whole city was crumbling, and then we elected Ed Koch.”

Bloomberg continued, “I think it's only fitting that we're gathered here today to celebrate the life of another New York City icon, Grand Central Terminal.”

The morning’s celebration kicked off with the West Point Brass and Percussion Band playing a special piece, “Grand Central Centennial Fanfare,” just for the special occasion.

Melissa Manchester sang "I Happen to Like New York,” during the ceremony. The song was written during by American composer and songwriter, Cole Porter during the 30s. Porter's work and love of New York was the inspiration for the song.

Author and preservationist Caroline Kennedy, Honorary Chair of the Grand Central Centennial Committee came to speak during the ceremony. Kennedy read a lovely letter written by her mother, the late Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis during the ceremony.

Former New York Mets star Keith Hernandez were also among the famous who took part in the celebration. He reminisced of the days when he was a commuter to get to the Shea Stadium for training practice.

Check out all the exclusive photos highlighting the events of the day and special words by the celebrities.

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View the list
  • New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg joined in celebration at the Grand Central Terminal’s centennial on Feb. 1. The mayor began the ceremony with a moment of silence for to honor former Mayor Ed Koch who died that morning from congestive heart failure. Bloomberg remembered the former mayor during the ceremony how important his leadership was in the 70s when he took office at a time when the city was struggling financially.
  • Author and preservationist, Caroline Kennedy was present for the Grand Central Terminal’s 100the anniversary. Kennedy’s mother, the late Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, was an integral voice during the 70s to save the crumbling Terminal. A letter written by the late Kennedy Onanssis to then, former Mayor Abe Beame, in her plea to preserve the iconic Grand Central Terminal, was read by daughter Kennedy. 
  • “Sex and the City” actress Cynthia Nixon joined New York in celebration of Grand Central Terminal’s centennial celebration. Nixon is a current resident in New York.  “Sex in the City” television show portrayed four women living and working in New York.  Co-stars, Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon, Kim Catrall, and Kristin Davis taped the show all over New York City, tackling career and relationship issues while living in New York.
  • Former New York Mets star Keith Hernandez spoke during the Grand Central Terminal's centennial ceremony. "Welcome, everybody, to New York's other great playing field," Hernandez said. "I love this building.” Former Major League Baseball (MLB) player and Most Valuable Player (MVP) was New York Mets World Series Championship first baseman in 1983.Hernandez is currently a baseball analyst for SportsNet New York and WPIX, cover the Mets telecast games. He used to commute via the No. 7 train from the terminal to Shea Stadium during his heyday of training
  • American actress and songwriter, Melissa Manchester sang "I Happen to Like New York,” during the Grand Central Terminal's centennial ceremony.  The song was written during the 30s by American composer and songwriter, Cole Porter. Porter's work and love of New York was the inspiration for this native New York songstress.  Manchester has appeared on television, films and on stage throughout her career in the 70s.
  • Financier Patisserie bakery came out with this gorgeous cake they baked for Grand Central Terminal’s 100th birthday. The cake contains five base layers topped with a replica of the famous information booth clock. The filling (I did not get the chance to taste it) is assumed to be a modified version based filling for a basic vanilla or chocolate sheet cake. Financier Patisserie established in 2002 on Stone Street, the financial district in lower Manhattan. Financier is located in the Terminal’s retail area
  •  In addition to the Honorable Michael Bloomberg, Mayor of New York City, other dignitaries who joined in the Grand Central Terminal’s centennial celebration were author and preservationist Caroline Kennedy, Metro-North President Howard Permut, Acting MTA Chairman Fernando Ferrer, Interim MTA Executive Director Tom Prendergast, Grand Central Terminal Committee Chairman Peter Strangl. Descendants to the Vanderbilt family were also present alongside with former U.S. Poet Laureate Billy Collins, Melissa Manchester and Cynthia Nixon. 
  •  In celebration of the Grand Central Terminal’s 100th anniversary, vendors inside the Terminal handed out free giveaways to visitors. Carvel ice cream gave away 1000 Flying Saucers and there was free cake baked by Financier bakery. Also, 1913 prices were available throughout the day. Some listed on the Grand Central Terminal’s website are 5 cents for coffee at Financier Patisserie, 10 cent shoe shine at the Leather Spa, 25 cent fudge at the Li-Lac-Chocolates and 19 cent cheesecake at the Oyster Bay Restaurant.  
  •  The "Grand Central Terminal: 100 Years of a New York Landmark" book was unveiled at the Grand Central Terminal’s centennial celebration. The book was written by New York Transit Museum staff and author Anthony W. Robins. It traces the Terminal's history and design, showcasing public and hidden wonders from the well-trod Main Concourse to the massive power station hidden ten stories below ground.  There are over 200 photographs showcasing public and hidden wonders from the well-trod Main Concourse to the massive power station hidden ten stories below ground. The book will be available at the “Grand by Design” exhibit store, the New York Transit Museum Gallery Annex and Store in the Terminal, and at numerous retailers.
  •  The opening of “Grand by Design: A Centennial Celebration of Grand Central Terminal,” a new exhibition produced by New York Transit Museum opens Feb.1 from 8 a.m.- 3 p.m. The museum showcases the history and impact of Grand Central in its first century. There will be projections and larger-than-life photography, free-standing installations, authentic artifacts and digital docents—as well as new and historical audio and video—“Grand by Design” reveals how the iconic building shaped modern New York and still determines its future.  The exhibit runs through March 15, 2013
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Sue Robinson, TV Host/Writer on emmy award winning WNYE station for NYC Media/NYC Life channel, available to over 5 million households in NY and within the tri-state areas. Sue works out of WNYE studio (NYC) where she always on top of the NY celebrity scene and ready to post updates to all the...

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