1. New Jersey Was the Third State to Ratify the Bill of Rights - On December 9, 1787, New Jersey became the third state to ratify the Bill of Rights. This landmark event marked the culmination of a two-year effort to secure additional protections for individual liberties from the federal government.

2. The First Game of College Basketball Was Played in New Jersey - On December 9, 1891, the first game of college basketball was played between the teams of Yale University and the New Brighton YMCA at the Moor Gymnasium in New Jersey. Today, basketball is one of the most popular sports in the world.

3. The Patent for the First Electric Guitar Was Issued in New Jersey - On December 9, 1941, the patent for the first electric guitar was issued to musician and inventor Les Paul, who was a resident of Mahwah, New Jersey. This device changed the sound of popular music forever.

4. The Garden State Parkway Opened on December 9, 1954 - On December 9, 1954, the Garden State Parkway opened to traffic, connecting two of New Jersey's major cities, New York and Philadelphia. This major transportation artery has played a vital role in the state's economic growth and development over the years.

5. The New Jersey Lottery Was First Launched on December 9, 1970 - On December 9, 1970, the New Jersey Lottery was first launched, becoming the third state in the country to offer a legal lottery game. Since then, the state has generated billions of dollars in revenue to support programs such as education, health care, and social services.