Brooklyn, named after the Dutch town of Breukelen in the Netherlands, was founded by the Dutch in the 17thcentury and grew into a busy port city on New York Harbor by the 19thcentury. On January1, 1898, after a long political campaign and public-relations battle during the 1890s and despite opposition from Brooklyn residents, Brooklyn was consolidated in and annexed, along with other areas, to form the current five-borough structure of New York City in accordance to the new municipal charter of Greater New York. The borough continues to maintain some distinct culture. Many Brooklyn neighborhoods are ethnic enclaves. With Jews forming around a fifth of its population, the borough has been described as one of the main global hubs for Jewish culture. Brooklyn's official motto, displayed on the borough seal and flag, is , which translates from early modern Dutch as 'Unity makes strength'.