1. In 1642, Dutch governor Willem Kieft signed a peace treaty with the Lenape tribe, ending a bloody conflict known as the Kieft's War. The treaty was signed on December 13, marking a significant moment in New York's colonial history.

2. On December 13, 1775, the Continental Congress authorized the first naval fleet of the United States with the construction of 13 warships. This fleet would help to defend American ports from British attack during the Revolutionary War.

3. In 1862, during the Civil War, Union forces under General Ambrose Burnside suffered a major defeat at the Battle of Fredericksburg. The battle, which began on December 13, resulted in over 12,000 Union casualties and is considered one of the war's bloodiest battles.

4. On December 13, 1928, the Holland Tunnel was officially opened to the public. The tunnel, which connects Manhattan and New Jersey, was named after its chief engineer, Clifford Holland, and was one of the world's largest engineering projects at the time.

5. In 1974, New York City's iconic landmark, the World Trade Center, officially opened to the public. The twin towers, which stood at 110 stories each, dominated the skyline and became a symbol of American economic power. Sadly, they were destroyed in the September 11 attacks in 2001.