1. On September 23, 1779, the Battle of Paulus Hook took place in present-day Jersey City. American troops led by Major Henry "Light Horse Harry" Lee successfully raided a British garrison, killing several soldiers and taking more than 150 prisoners.

2. In 1806, Seth Boyden was born in Foxborough, Massachusetts. He later moved to Newark, New Jersey, where he became a prolific inventor and industrialist. Among his many achievements were improvements to the steam engine, the creation of patent leather, and the first successful production of malleable iron.

3. September 23, 1926 marked the premiere of Atlantic City's famous Steel Pier. The pier featured all manner of attractions, from a diving horse to an amusement park to big-name musical acts. The Steel Pier remained a popular entertainment destination for decades, but closed in 2018 after years of declining attendance.

4. On this day in 1952, the Passaic River flooded following heavy rainfall. The resulting disaster destroyed thousands of homes and businesses, causing millions of dollars in damage and killing dozens of people. The flooding led to major changes in how New Jersey's rivers were managed, including the construction of various flood control structures.

5. In 2002, the New Jersey Supreme Court ruled that the state must provide same-sex couples with the same legal rights and benefits as heterosexual couples. This decision made New Jersey the first state to mandate civil unions for same-sex couples, and helped pave the way for subsequent victories in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights.