1. In 1761, the famous Patriot and Founding Father of the United States, John Hancock, was born in Braintree, Massachusetts. Although he didn't directly impact New Jersey history, Hancock's signature on the Declaration of Independence is among the most famous in American history.
2. In 1849, Hoboken's first free public school was established. Hoboken was one of the first cities in the country to establish free public schools, which played a vital role in the education of New Jersey's youth.
3. In 1990, the Meadowlands Sports Complex played host to one of the most extraordinary shows of athleticism and performance art in history, as the world watched the talented performers and acrobats of the Cirque du Soleil for the first time.
4. In 1919, the ship New Jersey was the first ship through the Panama Canal to California. The canal's opening revolutionized trade and transportation between the east and west coasts of the United States, with New Jersey serving as an important hub for many shipping routes.
5. In 1998, the New Jersey Devils won their first Stanley Cup after defeating the Detroit Red Wings 4-1 in the final series. This was a landmark moment in New Jersey sports history and helped put the state on the map as a serious contender in the hockey world.