1. On September 8, 1934, the iconic Jersey Shore boardwalk in Atlantic City was destroyed by a massive fire that burned for eight hours. The fire was caused by a discarded cigarette and resulted in over $4 million in damages.
2. The New Jersey state flag was adopted on September 8, 1896. The flag features the state seal, which includes symbols representing agriculture, industry, liberty, and the state motto “Liberty and Prosperity.”
3. On September 8, 1922, the New Jersey Turnpike Authority was created to oversee the construction and operation of the state’s first toll road. The turnpike was completed in 1952 and quickly became one of the busiest highways in the country.
4. In 1773, the first newspaper in New Jersey, the New Jersey Gazette, was published on September 8. The paper was printed in Burlington and contained local news, advertisements, and letters from readers.
5. On September 8, 1966, the town of Woodbridge became the first in the nation to use a computer to tally ballots in a municipal election. The system was developed by a local businessman and used punch cards to record votes.