Did You Know? The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), the world’s largest stock exchange, has some fascinating and unusual facts:
1. The Original Location Was a Coffee Shop
In 1792, 24 stockbrokers signed the Buttonwood Agreement under a buttonwood tree outside the Tontine Coffee House on Wall Street, creating what would become the NYSE.
2. The Longest Shutdown Lasted 4.5 Months
After the outbreak of World War I in 1914, the NYSE closed for over four months—its longest suspension ever.
3. The Bull and Bear Statues Aren’t Actually Part of the NYSE
The famous Charging Bull and Fearless Girl statues near the exchange are often mistaken as NYSE symbols but are actually public art pieces unrelated to the institution itself.
4. The Bell Has a Star-Studded History
The NYSE opening and closing bell has been rung by celebrities like Muhammad Ali, Jay-Z, and even R2-D2 from Star Wars.
5. You Can Tour the NYSE—But Not Trade on the Floor
While you can visit the exchange, only licensed brokers are allowed to trade on the floor, which is still considered one of the most exclusive financial arenas in the world.
6. Cultural Impact
The NYSE's success has cemented New York's status as a global financial hub. Wall Street, where the NYSE is located, has become synonymous with finance and is often used as a metaphor for the financial industry itself.
Which of these NYSE facts surprised you the most?
