New York City is populated with millions of people that each serve as an essential piece of the city's eclectic pie. The Big Apple's offering of unique and diverse individuals is arguably unmatched. We always hear about what a melting pot this immense metropolis is with its endless supply of quirky characters and the ongoing photo series known as Humans of New York proves it.

In the 1970′s, actress and model Tippi Hedren (mother of actress Melanie Griffith) created the Shambala Preserve after producing the film Roar. The preserve rescued exotic big cats living in captivity that had been abused or were in need of help, one of which the family created a close bond with. Neil the lion lived with the family in their home, and played an active role in the day to day activities of the preserve.

Florida Division of Forestry fire fighter, Tim Abramczyk, sprays foam on a hotspot that flared up as he works on containing a 50,316-acre brush fire on June 10, 2011 in West Dade, Florida. The fire started last weekend as South Florida continues to endure a dry start to the rainy season and drought conditions have begun to appear. The forestry division has the fire about 55 percent contained. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Sydneysiders walk amongst tar figures placed in the CBD to raise awareness about the damage smoking causes to the body at Martin Place on June 30, 2011 in Sydney, Australia. Each of the tar figures represent the profile of smokers, from the casual weekend smoker to the one with a lifelong addiction. (Photo by Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images)

With temperatures soaring and summer well underway, countless Americans will be spending their Independence Day weekend at the beach. Here we revisit some classic images from the turn-of-the-century to the 1930's of vacations by the sea, from Coney Island to Santa Monica.

A young woman cools herself in a fountain in Budapest, Hungary July 6, 2015. Over the weekend, a heat wave has reached Hungary with temperatures topping 38 degrees Celsius (100.4 degrees Fahrenheit). (Photo by Laszlo Balogh/Reuters)

BMX biker and event compere Ben Manuel warms up for the annual Hub Festival May 20, 2011 in Liverpool, England. This weekend's annual hub festival is an urban mix of art, music and action sports staged at Otterspool Promenade and attracts the top BMX, Skateboarders, artists and musical talent from across the UK. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

A participant, called a musher, races in the 33rd Aviemore Sled Dog Rally in Aviemore, Scotland January 23, 2016. The Siberian Husky Club of Britain is holding its annual sled dog rally over the weekend. (Photo by Russell Cheyne/Reuters)