Which city was originally known as New Amsterdam?

New Amsterdam was the original name given to the settlement that is now known as New York City. Founded by the Dutch in the early 17th century, it was established as a trading post for the Dutch West India Company. The strategic location of New Amsterdam at the mouth of the Hudson River allowed it to flourish as a commercial hub. In 1664, the English seized control of the territory and renamed it New York in honor of the Duke of York.

The other cities listed do not share this historical connection. Philadelphia was founded later, by William Penn as a Quaker colony. Boston was established by Puritans in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Charleston, originally named Charles Town, was established in the late 17th century in South Carolina and has no relation to the Dutch settlement of New Amsterdam. Thus, the correct answer highlights the significant transformation of New Amsterdam into New York, emphasizing the city's early colonial history and its evolution into a major American metropolis.