New York City will recognize April 17 as Giovanni da Verrazzano day to honor the explorer after a piece of legislation passed Thursday. Councilman David Carr (R-Mid-Island/South Brooklyn) introduced the legislation in February to honor the explorer who sailed for France and became the first European to enter what would become known as New York Harbor on April 17, 1524.

“I am proud to have sponsored the creation of Giovanni da Verrazzano Day for the 500th anniversary of this great Italian navigator sailing into the Narrows and setting off a chain of events that would lead to the founding of the modern City of New York,” Carr, chair of the Council’s Italian Caucus, said.