On July 31, 1948, New York International Airport was dedicated. You may be wondering what that is, considering that none of the airports that serve the New York City metropolitan area are called that. Well, before it was called JFK, and even before it was called Idlewild, the airport was dedicated as the New York International Airport, Anderson Field.

It was commonly called Idlewild Airport, given that it was built on the previous Idlewild Golf Course and resort in Jamaica Bay, beginning in 1942. First commercial flights began on July 1, 1948, but it wasn’t dedicated until later that month. It was actually called New York International Airport, because “New York Airport” sounded too much like “Newark Airport” on the radio–though I always feel bad for tourists who get confused between those names to this day!

In 1963, it was rededicated John F. Kennedy International Airport, following action of the Mayor and Council of the City of New York, and a resolution of the Commissioners of the Port Authority.