1. In 1621, the Dutch West India Company was granted a trading monopoly for the area that became New Netherland, which included present-day New York. This laid the foundation for Dutch colonization in the region.
2. In 1850, the New York State Assembly passed the "Act for the Protection of Apprentices," which set guidelines for the treatment and education of young apprentices who were learning trades. This was an early effort to improve working conditions for youth in the state.
3. In 1904, the first New York City subway line opened to the public. The line, which ran from City Hall to 145th Street, was a major engineering feat at the time and helped to ease transportation congestion in Manhattan.
4. In 1949, the Broadway musical "South Pacific" premiered on this day at the Majestic Theatre. The show, which was based on a collection of short stories by James A. Michener, tackled issues of race and prejudice in a time of war and became a cultural sensation.
5. In 1995, the New York Knicks retired the jersey of basketball legend Patrick Ewing, who had played for the team for over a decade. Ewing, who was known for his powerful dunks and fierce defensive skills, helped lead the Knicks to multiple playoff appearances and was a beloved player in New York sports history.