1. In 1776, American patriot Thomas Paine published his influential pamphlet "Common Sense" in Philadelphia. The work argued for American independence from Great Britain and helped galvanize support for the Revolutionary cause. Although not directly tied to New York, the ideas expressed in "Common Sense" had a significant impact on the region and ultimately led to the birth of the United States.

2. On January 10, 1847, notable New York City architect Richard Morris Hunt was born. Hunt is perhaps best known for designing some of New York's most iconic structures, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the pedestal for the Statue of Liberty. He was also the first American to attend the École des Beaux-Arts in France, which greatly influenced his architectural style.

3. In 1870, the New York City Metropolitan Museum of Art opened its doors to the public for the first time. The museum was founded by a group of American citizens and has since become one of the world's largest and most comprehensive art museums. Its collection includes over 2 million works of art, spanning 5,000 years of history.

4. On January 10, 1899, Brooklyn's first subway line officially opened for business. The line ran from the entrance of the Brooklyn Bridge to the intersection of Fourth Avenue and Ninth Street in Park Slope. The subway system would later expand to include Manhattan and other boroughs, revolutionizing transportation in the city and allowing for greater mobility and access to jobs and services.

5. In 1946, the first General Assembly of the United Nations convened in London, England. Among the representatives from various nations in attendance were delegates from New York City, which has been home to the United Nations headquarters since its founding. The UN plays a significant role in New York's international profile, attracting diplomats and dignitaries from all over the world to the city.