1. On December 14, 1799, George Washington died at his home in Mount Vernon, Virginia. Although this event did not occur in New York, the city mourned the loss of the nation's first president and many commemorative events were held in his honor throughout the state.

2. In 1825, the Erie Canal officially opened, connecting the Hudson River in Albany to Lake Erie in Buffalo. This historic feat of engineering revolutionized transportation and trade in New York and played a significant role in shaping the state's growth and development.

3. On December 14, 1865, a devastating fire broke out at the Winter Garden Theatre in New York City, destroying the building and causing widespread damage to the surrounding structures. The fire claimed the lives of 32 people and was one of the worst disasters in the city's history at the time.

4. The New York Stock Exchange reopened on December 14, 1914, after being closed for several months due to the outbreak of World War I. The reopening of the Exchange was seen as a sign of confidence in the economy and helped to stabilize the financial markets.

5. In 1977, a power outage plunged New York City into darkness, causing widespread chaos and looting. The blackout lasted for 25 hours and affected over 9 million people in the city and surrounding areas. The event became a symbol of urban decay and economic decline in the 1970s and served as a catalyst for reforms and improvements in the city's infrastructure.