Why is New York City called The Big Apple?
“The Big Apple” has been used since the 1920’s and 30’s by people in the entertainment and sports world, and particularly jazz musicians, as a way of saying, I’ve made it, I’ve hit the big time, I’m playing in New York City!” or “The bright and shining apple at the top of the success tree.” In 1971, Charles Gillett, then president of the New York Convention & Visitors Bureau, created and launched The Big Apple Campaign. It turned out to be the world’s most famous and effective city tourism promotion, and was instrumental in building New York City’s current tourism boom. The term “The Big Apple” had only been known in certain circles before that campaign.
