1. In 1664, the Dutch officially surrendered New Amsterdam (now New York City) to the English, who renamed the city New York.

2. In 1807, Robert Fulton's steamboat, the North River Steamboat (later renamed the Clermont), began its maiden voyage from New York City to Albany, marking the first successful steamboat operation in the United States.

3. In 1945, Japan formally surrendered to the Allies, ending World War II. New York City celebrated with a ticker-tape parade down Broadway, which drew millions of people and holds the record for the largest parade in the city's history.

4. In 1969, the first US Open tennis tournament was held at the West Side Tennis Club in Forest Hills, Queens. The tournament had previously been known as the US National Championships and was held in Newport, Rhode Island.

5. In 1995, New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani announced a plan to clean up Times Square, which had become known for its seedy adult entertainment shops and theaters. The initiative involved cracking down on crime, closing down businesses deemed to be breaking the law, and attracting more family-friendly businesses to the area. The plan was successful and Times Square is now one of the city's most popular tourist destinations.