1. In 1775, the British warship HMS Asia arrived in New York Harbor, bringing with it troops and supplies, which prompted the Continental Congress to call for the raising of an army.

2. In 1854, the Crystal Palace Exhibition, a massive display of arts and industry, opened at the site of present-day Bryant Park in Manhattan. The exhibition, which included displays of machines, art, and cultural artifacts from around the world, attracted more than a million visitors during its six-month run.

3. In 1927, Charles Lindbergh landed his plane, the Spirit of St. Louis, at Roosevelt Field on Long Island, completing the first solo, non-stop transatlantic flight from New York to Paris.

4. In 1935, Alcoholics Anonymous was founded in New York City by Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith. The organization, which offers support and guidance to people struggling with alcohol addiction, has since grown to become a worldwide movement.

5. In 1964, the World's Fair opened in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Queens. The fair, which ran for two years, featured futuristic exhibitions and pavilions from countries around the world, including the iconic Unisphere, the symbol of the fair that still stands today.