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What is Wall Street?

Mary McMahon
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Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 42,107
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Wall Street is a famous street that runs through lower Manhattan. It is the historic site of many financial institutions, and as such, it has become a symbol of commerce and the American economy. Several firms continue to maintain offices at on this street, capitalizing on the name recognition factor involved. Many visitors to New York like to take a stroll along Wall Street to examine the famous buildings and locations scattered along its length.

There are two explanations for the name of the street. Some historians believe that it references a literal wall built by the Dutch in the 1600s to protect themselves from invasions. Others have suggested that the name is a reference to the Walloons, citizens from Belgium who played a large role in the construction of New Amsterdam, better known as New York City. In any case, by the 18th century, this East-West running street had become associated with commerce, thanks to informal meetings of traders under a famous buttonwood tree.

Manhattan's overall financial district is sometimes referred to as “Wall Street.” Among many other things, this area houses the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), a major institution in the American market. It is also the namesake of the Wall Street Journal, a famous publication that covers both financial and global news, often with an eye to how changing political conditions may impact commerce.

Many famous buildings can be found along the street, and some of them house museums that showcase artifacts of interest, along with the financial companies that have made their home there for centuries. Certain landmarks along Wall Street are extremely well known; television shows, for example, like to use sections of the street for backdrops in financial segments. The street also features a famous bronzed bull, which was originally installed as a piece of social commentary by a radical artist; it was briefly impounded by police before being restored to the financial district in response to public outcry.

Many people use the term as a shorthand for trading and commerce. America's National Public Radio, for example, announces daily trading numbers with the preface “on Wall Street, today...” This is because the location leads the American market, remaining the headquarters of many influential corporations and setting trends which the rest of the country tends to follow.

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Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGeek researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

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Discussion Comments
By anon220229 — On Oct 06, 2011

These kids who are protesting Wall Street, haven't a clue what/why they are protesting. I'm willing to wager their parents were products of the 60's and these kids are protesting just to be protesting.

Americans need to march on Washington, right up to the steps of the White House and demand an accountability. And, were it not for the wealthy in this country, there would be no jobs. These are the very people who provide the jobs, pay the salaries, pay the biggest taxes, pay for health insurance, pay more to charities, etc; so these kids needs to stop whining and thank God there are wealthy people, unless they want to live in a country controlled by communist dictators like Chavez, Castro, or in the past under Stalin, Hitler, and Mao.

These kids haven't a clue what's going to happen if they don't straighten up and know the facts before they go off half cocked. Dirty little brats.

By anon175504 — On May 12, 2011

I needed some information about Wall Street for some homework and found this is so useful. thanks to whoever wrote it. --SeventhgraderNerdychic

By anon154082 — On Feb 19, 2011

I am from Colombia and I have never had the opportunity to see Wall street. I have read about and seen it in movies many times. It must be a wonderful place.

By screenwriter — On May 23, 2008

More than the physical place, Wall Street is the manifestation of something that the average European living in the 17th & 18th century would not dare dream of; that being the acquisition of wealth by commoners.

Lest we forget, the owning of property and financial instruments was the exclusive right of the the European Aristocracy before America and the free trading policies that were spun from our democratic system came into vogue.

By bookworm — On May 23, 2008

It is really an amazing place to visit. The tall buildings, so much history, and the hustle and bustle of business. Should be one of the places to see when visiting New York.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

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