1. In 1914, the first transcontinental phone call between New York and San Francisco was made on January 5th. The call was a major technological achievement, as it connected callers from opposite sides of the country for the first time.

2. On January 5th, 1949, the first African-American judge in New York State was appointed. Judge Constance Baker Motley went on to have a distinguished legal career, including serving as a key strategist in the Civil Rights Movement.

3. In 1970, the New York Knicks set an NBA record by holding their opponents, the San Diego Rockets, to just 67 points on January 5th. The Knicks went on to win the game 107-67, with a strong defensive effort that helped them secure their first NBA championship later that year.

4. On January 5th, 1994, New York Governor Mario Cuomo delivered his final State of the State address. In the speech, Cuomo reflected on his 12 years in office and laid out a vision for the future of the state, including plans for economic growth and environmental protection.

5. In 2006, a tornado touched down in New York City on January 5th, causing widespread damage and power outages in parts of Brooklyn and Queens. The storm was rare for the area, as tornadoes are relatively uncommon in New York City due to its dense urban landscape and proximity to water.