1. In 1776, the Battle of Harlem Heights was fought during the Revolutionary War. While not technically in New Jersey, this battle had significant impacts on the course of the war, as it allowed George Washington and his troops to regroup and regain confidence after a string of losses.

2. In 1938, one of the worst hurricanes in modern history, known as the Great New England Hurricane or the Long Island Express, struck New Jersey and surrounding areas. The storm caused massive destruction and resulted in the deaths of hundreds of people.

3. In 1957, the iconic Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory was founded at Princeton University. This facility is one of the leading centers for research in the field of plasma physics and has played a key role in advancing our understanding of energy and fusion.

4. In 1981, the first episode of the hit television series "Mork & Mindy" aired. While the show was set in Colorado, it starred Robin Williams, who was originally from Chicago but spent much of his childhood in New Jersey.

5. In 2013, the "Bridgegate" scandal erupted when it was revealed that several members of Gov. Chris Christie's staff had ordered the closure of several lanes on the George Washington Bridge as political retribution against the mayor of Fort Lee. The scandal led to numerous investigations and indictments, and has had long-lasting impacts on New Jersey politics.