1. In 1781, the Revolutionary War Battle of Guilford Court House took place in North Carolina. New York troops played a crucial role in the battle, fighting under General Nathanael Greene against British forces commanded by Lord Cornwallis. Although the Americans suffered heavy losses, the battle weakened the British and marked a turning point in the war.

2. In 1852, the New York and New Haven Railroad was incorporated, linking New York City with Connecticut and Rhode Island. The railroad played a crucial role in the development of New York's suburbs, allowing commuters to travel easily between their homes and jobs in the city.

3. In 1930, Babe Ruth became the highest-paid player in baseball history when the New York Yankees signed him to a three-year, $80,000 contract. Ruth's signing marked the beginning of a decade of dominance for the Yankees, who won seven World Series championships in the 1930s.

4. In 1954, the New York Giants baseball team announced that it was moving from the Polo Grounds in Manhattan to San Francisco. The move was controversial and angered many fans, but it proved to be a success for the Giants, who became one of the most successful teams in the National League in the following decades.

5. In 2018, a massive fire broke out in a building in the East Village neighborhood of Manhattan, destroying several businesses and apartments. Firefighters worked for hours to contain the blaze, which sent smoke billowing into the sky visible for miles around. Despite the devastating damage, there were no serious injuries or fatalities from the fire.