1. In 1785, the first sugar refinery in the United States was established in New York City by a Scottish merchant named William Colgate. The refinery was located at Pearl Street and Wall Street in Lower Manhattan.

2. On January 11, 1813, the first steam-powered ferry started operating between Manhattan and Hoboken, New Jersey. The ferry was named the "Jersey" and was built by Robert Fulton, who is also credited with inventing the steamboat.

3. In 1833, the first-ever horse-drawn streetcar started operating in New York City. The streetcar line ran along Fourth Avenue from Prince Street to 14th Street.

4. On January 11, 1913, the first escalator in New York City was installed in the Earl's Court subway station. The escalator was imported from England and was a novelty attraction for many New Yorkers.

5. In 1968, the first-ever "Human Be-In" was held in Central Park. The event was a gathering of over 20,000 people who came together to celebrate art, music, and counterculture. Some of the notable guests included Allen Ginsberg and Timothy Leary.