1. The First Halloween Parade: The first Halloween parade in the United States took place in New York City in 1924. Today, the parade draws over 50,000 spectators and participants each year and is known as one of the world's largest Halloween celebrations.

2. The Haunting of the Dakota: The Dakota is one of New York City's most famous landmarks and is notoriously known for being haunted. On October 31, 1975, John Lennon was shot and killed outside of the Dakota, adding to its ghostly reputation.

3. The Unveiling of the Statue of Liberty: On October 31, 1886, the Statue of Liberty was unveiled in New York Harbor. The statue has since become an enduring symbol of freedom and an icon of New York City.

4. The Closing of the Original Penn Station: On October 31, 1963, the original Pennsylvania Station closed its doors for the final time. The station was one of the architectural gems of New York City and its demolition led to the creation of the Landmarks Preservation Commission.

5. The Destruction of Hurricane Sandy: On October 31, 2012, Hurricane Sandy hit New York City, causing widespread destruction and flooding in the city. The hurricane resulted in dozens of deaths and billions of dollars in damages, making it one of the most devastating natural disasters in New York City history.