Summer break is here but it is not too soon to plan for next
year.
An incredible free resource that all history teachers should
consider is the current Citigroup Inc. annual report. This 298 page report to shareholders covers the financial
operations of this bank and its affiliates for calendar year 2011.
This year, 2012, is the two hundredth anniversary of the
chartering of City Bank of New York by the legislature of New York and the
annual report also looks at the place in history of City Bank of New York
Citigroup Inc. is the corporate successor of the original
City Bank, now with 200 million customers and financial operations in 160
countries and jurisdictions. The
report is a reminder that commerce, investment and finance all take place in a
world of politics, diplomacy and war.
This annual report should be of interest to history teachers
because it has a nine-fold time-line that follows the major banking events in
the growth and expansion of City Bank of New York and relates the bank to major
American and world historical events.
For example, the time-line informs us that the bank was
chartered June 16, 1812, two days before U.S. President James Madison signed
into law a Congressional vote that formalized the War of 1812 against Britain;
and, that the next year, 1813, City Bank paid its first dividend to
shareholders and also subscribed to war bonds to help the national government
finance the War of 1812.
The history this annual report provides is rich with events
that shaped America. For example,
in 1837, Moses Taylor joined the board of City Bank of New York. Taylor was a merchant specializing in
sugar trade with Cuba and Latin America. Also during 1837, one of the periodic Wall Street
financial panics erupted.
In 1894, the bank became the largest New York bank. At the same time Thomas Edison was
across the Hudson River constructing at movie studio in West Orange, New
Jersey.
The time-line continues down to 2011 when the bank, and all its affiliates are known as “Citi” and it launches the Global Enterprise Payment Unit that permits the bank to serve customers with worldwide businesses. And beyond the bank in that same year, the IBM Watson computer beats the game champions on the television show “Jeopardy.”
The time-line highlights war and peace, scientific inventions, growth of the bank, financial panics and financial innovations.
To receive a copy of this annual report and the time-line of history, contact Citi Document Services at 1-877-936-2737 (Outside the U.S. call 716-730-8055).
You can also order the annual report by writing:
540 Crosspoint Parkway
Getzville, NY 14068
Teachers:
Request two copies of the current annual report covering calendar year
2011. The time-line is printed
front and back and if you want to display the full time line you need two
copies so you have front and backside.
The Editorial Collective of WCRX-LP, 102.1 FM
Bexley Public Radio Foundation
