[Coronavirus monologue — [7 northeast states form a joint committee to evaluate ending social distancing](https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/massachusetts-joins-new-york-new-jersey-connecticut-pennsylvania-delaware-and-rhode-islands?ref=agreatbigcity.com)] Visit agreatbigcity.com/support to learn how to support New York City local news and allow us to keep bringing you this podcast. If you are a New York-based business and would be interested in sponsoring our podcasts, visit agreatbigcity.com/advertising to learn more. 116 years ago on April 8, 1904 — Longacre Square is renamed 'Times Square' 107 years ago on April 9, 1913 — The first game is played at Ebbets Field 154 years ago on April 10, 1866 — The ASPCA is founded in New York City, becoming the oldest animal welfare organization in the United States 59 years ago on April 11, 1961 — Bob Dylan plays in Greenwich Village for the first time 115 years ago on April 12, 1905 — The Hippodrome Theatre opens 103 years ago on April 12, 1917 — The Bijou Theatre opens on 45th Street at Broadway 38 years ago on April 12, 1982 — Three CBS employees are killed after encountering a gunman abducting a woman on the top of the Pier 92 parking garage 17 years ago on April 13, 2003 — Subway tokens are phased out and replaced by the MetroCard 2 years ago on April 14, 2018 — David Buckel, a prominent gay rights lawyer and environmental advocate, sets himself on fire in Prospect Park 9 years ago on April 16, 2011 — Area code 929 enters service 1 year ago on April 17, 2019 — A man was taken into custody after attempting to enter St. Patrick's Cathedral with cans of gasoline 14 years ago on April 18, 2006 — Roosevelt Island Tram suffers mechanical problems, trapping 69 people in two tram cars in the air for seven hours A Great Big City has been running a 24-hour newsfeed since 2010, but the AGBC News podcast is just getting started, and we need your support. A Great Big City is built on a dedication to explaining what is happening and how it fits into the larger history of New York, which means thoroughly researching every topic and avoiding clickbait headlines to provide a straightforward, honest, and factual explanation of the news. Individuals can make a monthly or one-time contribution at agreatbigcity.com/support and local businesses can have a lasting impact by supporting local news while promoting products or services directly to interested customers listening to this podcast. Visit agreatbigcity.com/advertising to learn more. AGBC is more than just a news website: Every evening, just before sundown, A Great Big City checks the Empire State Building's lighting schedule and sends out a notification if the tower's lighting will be lit in special colors for a holiday or celebration. Follow @agreatbigcity on social media to receive the alerts. Park of the day Ionia Avenue Forest — A very densely-forested triangle at the southern end of Staten Island New York Fact Here's something you may not have known about New York: NYCHA, the New York City Housing Authority, oversees 325 housing developments citywide comprised of 2,418 buildings that house 400,000 New Yorkers Weather The extreme highs and lows for this week in weather history: Record High: 92°F on April 16, 2002 Record Low: 22°F on April 12, 1874 AGBC Weather Weather.gov forecast Thanks for listening to A Great Big City. Follow along 24 hours a day on social media @agreatbigcity or email [email protected] with any news, feedback, or topic suggestions. Subscribe to AGBC News wherever you listen to podcasts: iTunes, Google Play, or RadioPublic, TuneIn Radio, Player FM, or listen to each episode on the podcast pages at agreatbigcity.com/podcast. If you enjoy the show, subscribe and leave a review wherever you're listening and visit our podcast site to se