1. In 1775, the New York Provincial Congress formed a colonial navy to defend against British forces. This navy was the precursor to the United States Navy.

2. The first commercial flight over the Atlantic Ocean took off from New York's Roosevelt Field on July 7, 1927. The flight was piloted by Charles Lindbergh and took him from New York to Paris.

3. On July 7, 1930, construction began on the Empire State Building. It took just over a year to build, and it was completed on May 1, 1931. At the time, the building was the tallest in the world.

4. In 1964, the World's Fair opened in New York City. The fair was held in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, and it showcased innovations in technology, transportation, and culture. The Unisphere, a 140-foot tall steel globe, was one of the fair's most famous attractions.

5. On July 7, 1994, the New York Knicks signed basketball player Patrick Ewing to a contract extension. Ewing played for the Knicks for 15 seasons and helped lead the team to the NBA Finals in 1994.