Today In History
5 Fun Facts About November 19 In New Jersey History
1. On November 19, 1863, the Union Army won a decisive victory over the Confederate Army at the Battle of Gettysburg. More than 6,000 soldiers from New Jersey fought in the battle, with approximately 1,270 killed or wounded. 2. On November 19, 1869, the New Jersey State Agricultural Society held...
5 Fun Facts About November 18 In New Jersey History
1. On November 18, 1875, the cornerstone was laid for the new state capitol building in Trenton, New Jersey. The building was completed in 1884 and is still in use today. 2. On November 18, 1961, singer-songwriter and New Jersey native, Bruce Springsteen, played his first ever live performance at...
5 Fun Facts About November 17 In New Jersey History
1. In 1831, the first steam-powered ferry service in New Jersey, the "John Stevens," begins operation between Hoboken and Manhattan. This was a major breakthrough in transportation and led to the development of more efficient means of travel across the state. 2. On November 17, 1858, Edwin E. Stevens, son...
5 Fun Facts About November 16 In New Jersey History
1. In 1889, the first issue of The Jersey Journal newspaper was published. The paper continues to be a leading news source for the state and the city of Jersey City. 2. In 1920, the first commercial radio station in New Jersey, WAAM, began broadcasting. The station was based in...
5 Fun Facts About November 15 In New Jersey History
1. In 1777, the Continental Army under General George Washington camped at Middlebrook in Somerset County, New Jersey. This was a strategic location for the Continental Army to regroup and rest after the battles of Brandywine and Germantown. Middlebrook would eventually serve as the winter encampment for the Continental Army...
5 Fun Facts About November 14 In New Jersey History
1. On November 14, 1782, the first Thanksgiving Day following the end of the Revolutionary War was celebrated in New Jersey. This day was declared as a national holiday by President George Washington in 1789. 2. On November 14, 1910, the first air flight from New York City to Atlantic...
5 Fun Facts About November 13 In New Jersey History
1. On November 13, 1775, the Continental Congress authorized the purchase of gunpowder to support the fight for independence during the American Revolutionary War. 2. November 13, 1833, marked the birth of Edwin Thomas Booth, a famous Shakespearean actor and the younger brother of John Wilkes Booth, who assassinated President...
5 Fun Facts About November 12 In New Jersey History
1. In 1775, the first official seal of New Jersey was adopted by the Provincial Congress. The seal features a horse’s head with the letters NJ underneath, surrounded by the words “Great Seal of the State of New Jersey.” 2. In 1793, the first successful balloon flight in the United...
5 Fun Facts About November 11 In New Jersey History
1. Armistice Day: On November 11, 1918, the Armistice of Compiègne was signed, officially ending World War I. This day was celebrated as Armistice Day until 1954, when it was renamed Veterans Day. 2. Salt Water Day: In the mid-18th century, New Jersey celebrated "Salt Water Day" on November 11,...
5 Fun Facts About November 10 In New Jersey History
1. In 1775, New Jersey's Provincial Congress authorized the formation of two battalions of "associators" to fight in the Revolutionary War. These battalions would later become part of the Continental Army. 2. In 1938, a powerful Nor'easter struck the New Jersey coast, causing widespread flooding and destruction. The storm, which...
5 Fun Facts About November 9 In New Jersey History
1. In 1782, the Articles of Confederation were finally ratified by New Jersey, making it the last state to do so. This document would ultimately pave the way for the United States Constitution. 2. On November 9, 1874, the town of Irvington was officially incorporated. Located in Essex County, Irvington...
5 Fun Facts About November 8 In New Jersey History
1. On November 8, 1783, Elizabeth Conover received a letter from George Washington thanking her for her support during the Revolutionary War. Conover's home in Morris County, New Jersey was a meeting place for Patriots, and she provided material aid to Washington's army. 2. In 1955, the first McDonald's restaurant...