1. In 1788, the first regular session of the New Jersey Legislature was held in Trenton. The state capital had just been relocated to the city from Princeton the previous year, and the lawmakers gathered to begin their work in the new location.

2. In 1913, the first paved road in New Jersey was officially opened on January 9th. The 0.6-mile long stretch of roadway was located in South Orange and was made of concrete, with a width of 10 feet.

3. January 9, 1958 was a historic day for the state's aviation industry, as the first commercial jet flight from New York's Idlewild Airport (now JFK) to Philadelphia International Airport was inaugurated. The flight was operated by National Airlines using a Boeing 707.

4. In 1973, the New Jersey State Museum in Trenton opened to the public on January 9th after years of planning and construction. The museum's collection includes natural history exhibits, fine art, and cultural artifacts related to the state's history.

5. On January 9, 2002, New Jersey Senator Robert Torricelli announced that he would not seek reelection later that year. The announcement came after months of controversy over alleged ethics violations, and it opened the door for a closely contested Senate race in which Republican candidate Douglas Forrester ultimately lost to Democrat Frank Lautenberg.