Short answers, pulled from the story.
Dutch settlers established a small village named Breuckelen on the eastern shore of Long Island in 1646. The name derived directly from a town in the Netherlands known as Breukelen, meaning bog or marshland with a small water stream.
British troops forced the Continental Army under George Washington off heights near modern Green-Wood Cemetery and Prospect Park. More American prisoners died on prison ships off Wallabout Bay than were killed in action on all battlefield engagements combined.
Residents voted by slight majority to merge effective the 1st of January 1898 forming five boroughs of Greater New York. The merger won by razor thin margin with 64,744 votes for consolidation against 64,467 against it.
Over 600,000 Jews now concentrate in areas like Borough Park Williamsburg and Midwood where many yeshivas exist. More than 200,000 Chinese Americans live throughout southern parts primarily concentrated in Sunset Park along 8th Avenue.
The Brooklyn Dodgers won only World Series for borough against rival New York Yankees in 1955 marked by mass euphoria celebrations. Just two years later team moved to Los Angeles leaving Walter O'Malley owner still vilified even by young Brooklynites.