The major change marks a first in over 300 years 😲

Zohran Mamdani, 34, was elected as New York City’s new mayor last month, making history on several fronts. He is the city’s first Muslim mayor, the first of South Asian heritage, and the first born in Africa.

Despite his scheduled swearing-in for January 2026, a historical discrepancy suggests he may officially be the 112th mayor, not the 111th. Historian Paul Hortenstine uncovered the error during research on former leaders’ links to the slave trade.

He found that Matthias Nicolls, the city’s sixth mayor, served two non-consecutive terms in 1672 and 1675. Similar to U.S. presidents, this second term should have been counted separately in the official tally.

This omission means every mayor after Nicolls has been misnumbered by one. Hortenstine has contacted the mayor’s office to request a correction, noting the mistake originated from a 17th-century archival record.

Earlier research by historian Peter R. Christoph in 1989 also identified this error, questioning how 99 mayors could have been misnumbered. This historical correction does not affect Mamdani’s upcoming term or his political authority.

It does, however, adjust the ceremonial count of his position. Whether city officials will formally update the historical record remains to be seen.

For now, Mamdani prepares to take office as a groundbreaking leader, with this historical footnote adding an unexpected layer to his inauguration.