Discover 1792
A Small Number With a Big Story
The number 1792 appears throughout Under the Buttonwood Tree for a reason.
It marks the year of the Buttonwood Agreement, an important moment in American financial history that helped begin what later became the New York Stock Exchange.
More than two hundred years ago, a small group of people made an agreement beneath a buttonwood tree in New York City.
That agreement helped create a more organized way for people to buy and sell investments.
What began as one small agreement grew into something much larger.
Simple Money Words
What is a company?
A company is a group of people working together to make something, provide a service, or solve a problem.
What is a stock?
A stock represents a small piece of ownership in a company.
What is an investment?
An investment is something people put money into hoping it will grow in value over time. Investments can grow, but they can also lose value.
Connection to the Book
Small choices can matter.
Good habits can grow.
Patience can create progress.
Something meaningful can begin with one simple step.
Interactive Fun
Can You Find Every Place Where 1792 Appears in the Book?
Look carefully through the book and the website — some are easy to spot, others are hiding. It's a simple way to show children that money, businesses, and communities are built on trust, patience, and thoughtful choices — not complicated investing.
One tree. One agreement. One small beginning.
And a reminder that small good things can grow into something extraordinary.