Welcome to Flushing

Welcome to Flushing. Flushing Freedom Mile. , Founded in 1645 as the first permanent settlement in Queens, Flushing has a rich and exciting history. Originally called "Vissingen" by the Dutch, it started as a tiny, tranquil hamlet within the Dutch colony of New Netherland. Over the past 350 years it has evolved into a thriving mini-city within New York City, with one of the most vibrant populations in the country. A mecca for people from all over the world, Flushing was the site of two World's Fairs, from 1939-1940 and 1964-1965, as well as the site of the first meeting of the United Nations in 1946., The village of Flushing was established in the spirit of freedom, by a group of English settlers seeking a haven where they could practice their religion freely. Over the years, waves of immigrants , including Irish, Jewish, German, Italian, Chinese, Indian, and Korean , have settled here, all adding to Flushing's rich culture and heritage. Today, you can hear more languages spoken on the streets of Flushing than in any other community in the United States. The religious tolerance championed by the earliest residents is still alive and well in 21st century Flushing, where church, synagogue, mosque, Shinto shrine, Quaker meeting house, and Hindu temple peacefully coexist. The unique sense of community and diversity of Flushing can be seen throughout the neighborhood, through both its people and its historic landmarks.