1. In 1791, the Bill of Rights was ratified, which established important guarantees of civil liberties for American citizens. Although this event occurred in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, many New Jerseyans participated in the ratification debates and played important roles in shaping the document.

2. In 1837, the first major canals in New Jersey were completed, which connected the state's major waterways and enabled the transportation of goods over vast distances. The Morris and Delaware Canal and the Trenton and New Brunswick Canal provided important economic benefits to the state and helped build its industrial infrastructure.

3. In 1903, the first automobile was manufactured in New Jersey, marking the beginning of a new era in transportation technology. The car, built by the Lambert Automobile Company, was a gasoline-powered vehicle that could travel up to 35 miles per hour.

4. In 1933, the 21st Amendment to the US Constitution was ratified, which repealed the prohibition of alcohol in the United States. This event was celebrated across New Jersey and the country, as citizens could once again legally purchase and consume alcoholic beverages.

5. In 2015, New Jersey became the 14th state to legalize same-sex marriage, following a years-long legal battle that began with a lawsuit filed in 2011. The ruling by the New Jersey Supreme Court extended many rights and protections to same-sex couples, including the ability to adopt children and make medical decisions for each other.