1. On February 20, 1714, the first royal governor of New Jersey, William Burnet, was sworn into office. Burnet was known for promoting religious tolerance and expanding trade relations with Native American tribes.

2. The Battle of Englishtown, a small skirmish in the American Revolutionary War, took place on February 20, 1777. American forces successfully repelled a British attack, resulting in few casualties on either side.

3. On February 20, 1793, the first fully-equipped fire engine in the United States was put into service in Philadelphia. This innovation eventually made its way to New Jersey, helping communities across the state to better manage and prevent fires.

4. A major winter storm hit New Jersey on February 20, 1979, dumping over a foot of snow on some areas and causing significant travel disruptions. This storm became known as the President's Day Blizzard and is still remembered as one of the worst winter events in state history.

5. Finally, on February 20, 1999, the New Jersey Nets defeated the Vancouver Grizzlies 94-82. While this may seem like a minor sporting event, it marked the first time that the Nets had won back-to-back games in over two years, signaling a turnaround for the struggling team.