1. On December 14, 1787, New Jersey became the third state to ratify the United States Constitution, following Delaware and Pennsylvania. New Jersey played a crucial role in the formation of the federal government, and their ratification of the Constitution helped pave the way for the foundation of the country.

2. In 1911, on December 14, the New Jersey State Board of Education approved a proposal to establish the first statewide system of vocational education in the United States. This system was designed to provide young people with training in a variety of trades, including agriculture, mechanics, drafting, and home economics.

3. December 14, 1955, marked the opening of the Garden State Arts Center in Holmdel, New Jersey. This outdoor performing arts venue was designed to be a showcase for the performing arts, and over the years it has hosted countless theater productions, concerts, and other cultural events.

4. New Jersey Governor Christine Todd Whitman signed a law on December 14, 1999, that banned smoking in all indoor public spaces in the state, including bars and restaurants. The law was one of the strictest anti-smoking measures in the country at the time, and it helped pave the way for other states to pass similar legislation.

5. December 14, 2012, was a dark day for New Jersey, as it was the day of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, which claimed the lives of 20 children and six adults. The tragedy highlighted the need for improved gun control measures and brought attention to the issue of mental health care in America.