1. In 1911, the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire occurred in New York City, where 146 workers (mostly young immigrant women) lost their lives due to unsafe working conditions. This tragedy embodied the need for stronger labor laws and worker protections in the United States.

2. In 1947, the first Tony Awards ceremony was held in New York City's Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. The annual awards recognize excellence in Broadway theater productions.

3. In 1974, the iconic World Trade Center complex in Lower Manhattan was completed, which consisted of two towers that held the title of the world's tallest buildings until 2001.

4. In 1987, the New York Stock Exchange experienced its largest-ever one-day percentage drop, known as "Black Monday." The Dow Jones Industrial Average plummeted 508 points, a decline of 22.6%, in response to global economic concerns.

5. In 2000, the first same-sex commitment ceremony was held at New York City Hall. Though same-sex marriage was not yet legal in the state, the ceremony represented a milestone in LGBTQ+ rights and recognition.