Zohran Mamdani’s election as New York City mayor drew national attention, not only because of his historic victory but because of the unusual historical twist that followed. At 34, he became the city’s first Muslim mayor and the first of South Asian heritage, a milestone widely seen as a reflection of New York’s evolving identity. Yet, just as the city prepared for his January 2026 inauguration, a centuries-old clerical error surfaced and shifted part of the narrative.
Historian Paul Hortenstine discovered that one of New York’s earliest mayors, Matthias Nicolls, had actually served two non-consecutive terms in the 1670s, but the second term had never been counted independently. This oversight meant every subsequent mayoral number was technically off by one, and the incoming “111th” mayor would be the 112th. Though the error had been noticed before, it had remained uncorrected for hundreds of years.
The discovery sparked discussion among historians, city officials, and residents. Some argued for accuracy and updating official records, while others believed altering centuries of numbering might create confusion. The debate highlighted the balance between maintaining historical tradition and embracing factual correction.
Despite the attention, the numbering dispute had no impact on policy, authority, or governance. Mamdani remained focused on housing, infrastructure, economic recovery, and representation. Whether labeled the 111th or 112th, the expectations surrounding his administration reflected the city’s forward-looking priorities, while the archival mix-up became a small but memorable footnote in a historic moment.
