1. In 1776, Thomas Paine published his pamphlet "Common Sense" in New York City, arguing for American independence from Great Britain. The pamphlet became widely circulated and helped to galvanize support for the Revolutionary War.

2. In 1788, New York became the 11th state to ratify the United States Constitution, officially joining the new country. The ratification process was contentious, with many debates and objections raised, but ultimately the Constitution was adopted.

3. In 1896, the first X-ray film was taken in the United States at Bellevue Hospital in New York City. The pioneering medical technique was developed by German physicist Wilhelm Röntgen and quickly gained popularity as a tool for diagnosing injuries and illnesses.

4. In 1949, the first commercial airline flight from the United States to Europe took off from Idlewild Airport (now JFK Airport) in New York City. The flight, operated by Pan American World Airways, traveled to Paris and marked a milestone in global air travel.

5. In 1977, the iconic musical "Annie" had its Broadway premiere at the Alvin Theatre in New York City. The production, which tells the story of a spunky young orphan who finds love and family in Depression-era New York, was a huge hit and ran for almost six years on Broadway.