1. In 1801, the first state penitentiary in the United States opened in New Jersey. The facility was located in Trenton and was designed to offer rehabilitative services to inmates rather than simply punishing them.

2. In 1911, the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire took place in New York City, but many of the victims were from New Jersey. The fire resulted in the deaths of 146 garment workers, most of whom were young immigrant women. The tragedy led to significant changes in American labor laws.

3. In 1954, the first transistor radio was invented by Texas Instruments engineer Jack Kilby. Although the device was not created in New Jersey, Kilby was a native of Jefferson City, and his invention had a significant impact on the electronics industry in the state.

4. In 1965, Jersey City experienced one of its worst disasters when a train derailment caused multiple tanks of propane gas to explode. The blasts killed six people and injured more than 120 others, causing widespread damage to the surrounding area.

5. In 2004, six New Jersey universities were designated as National Centers of Excellence by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The institutions were recognized for their expertise in areas such as transportation security, bio-defense, and border protection. These designations have helped to position New Jersey as a leader in the field of homeland security research and development.