History of New Jersey, USA

1776 - New Jersey adopted first state constitution; George Washington crossed Delaware River from Pennsylvania in surprise attack on British; Washington defeated British at Battle of Trenton

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1776 - State laws in New Jersey allow women to vote.

Stories from the Revolution, www.nps.gov

1787 - New Jersey became third U.S. state

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1790 - Trenton declared state capital; New Jersey first state to sign Bill of Rights

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1807 - New Jersey restricts the right to vote to white men.

Stories from the Revolution, www.nps.gov

The tomato was put “on trial” on September 25, 1820, in Salem, New Jersey.
In front of a courthouse, Robert Johnson ate a basket of tomatoes to prove they were not poisonous. The crowd waited for him to keel over dead. He never did.
legendsofamerica.com

1854 - April 16 – The United States packet ship Powhattan is wrecked off the New Jersey shore with more than 200 + victims.
On April 16, 1854, the United States packet ship Powhattan met a tragic fate off the coast of New Jersey. The ship, en route from Le Havre, France, to New York, encountered a fierce storm that drove it onto the shoals near Long Beach Island. Despite efforts to save the vessel and its passengers, the ship was wrecked, and all aboard perished. The disaster claimed the lives of more than 200 immigrants, many of whom were German, seeking a new life in America.

The wreck of the Powhattan highlighted the perils of transatlantic travel during the mid-19th century. The tragedy was compounded by the inability to effectively communicate or coordinate rescue efforts due to the limitations of the time.
April 16, 1854

1858 - Dinosaur Fossil Found
The first nearly complete dinosaur fossil is found in Haddonfield, New Jersery.

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1879 - December 31 – Thomas Edison demonstrates incandescent lighting to the public for the first time in Menlo Park, New Jersey.
On December 31, 1879, Thomas Edison made a significant mark in history by publicly demonstrating his incandescent lighting system in Menlo Park, New Jersey. This event showcased the practical and revolutionary potential of electric light, which was a significant improvement over the gas and oil lamps commonly used at the time. Edison's demonstration featured a street lit with incandescent bulbs, drawing a crowd of eager onlookers and capturing the attention of the press and public alike.

This public demonstration was a pivotal moment in the development of electric lighting. It not only highlighted Edison's ingenuity and the effectiveness of his incandescent bulb but also marked the beginning of the widespread adoption of electric light, transforming urban and industrial environments. Edison's achievement laid the groundwork for the electrification of homes and cities, fundamentally changing how people lived and worked.
December 31, 1879

Read more about Thomas Alva EDISON

1895 - New Jersey
New Jersey, jer'zee, one of the Atlantic states of the American Union, bounded N. and N.E. by New York, E. by New York and the Atlantic, S. by the Atlantic and Dela ware Bay, and W. by Delaware and Pennsylvania. From New York it is divided, in part, by the Hudson River, New York Bay, the Kill van Kull, Staten Island Sound, and Raritan Bay; and the Delaware River and Bay wash its entire western border. It extends 167 miles northwardly from lat. 38° 56' to 41° 21' N., and its extreme E, and W. points are respectively in W. lon. 73°54' and 75° 33'. Area, 7815 square miles...

The counties number 21, as follows: Atlantic, Bergen, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Essex, Gloucester, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Salem, Somerset, Sussex, Union, and Warren.

The principal cities and towns are Trenton, the capital (pop. in 1890, 57,458), Newark, the most populous town (181,830), Jersey City (163,003), Paterson (78,347), Cam den (58,313),... Read MORE...

1918 - October 4 - The T. A. Gillespie Company Shell Loading Plant explosion in New Jersey kills 100+ and destroys enough ammunition to supply the Western Front for 6 months.
On October 4, 1918, a catastrophic explosion occurred at the T. A. Gillespie Company Shell Loading Plant in Sayreville, New Jersey. The blast, which resulted in a series of subsequent explosions, killed over 100 people and caused widespread destruction. The plant was a critical facility for the U.S. war effort during World War I, as it loaded shells with explosives destined for the Western Front. The explosion's impact was devastating, obliterating nearby buildings, creating craters, and sparking fires that raged for days.

The incident not only resulted in significant loss of life but also had a substantial strategic impact. The destruction of the plant and its ammunition stockpile, estimated to be enough to supply the Western Front for six months, dealt a heavy blow to the Allied war effort. The disaster underscored the dangers inherent in wartime munitions production and highlighted the urgent need for improved safety protocols in handling explosive materials.
October 4, 1918

1923 - September 4 – In Lakehurst, New Jersey, the first American airship, USS Shenandoah (ZR-1), takes to the sky for the first time.
On September 4, 1923, the skies over Lakehurst, New Jersey witnessed a significant milestone in aviation history with the inaugural flight of the USS Shenandoah (ZR-1), marking the first American-built rigid airship. Designed as a part of the United States Navy's efforts to explore airship technology, the Shenandoah represented a leap forward in aerial engineering. With a structure primarily constructed of lightweight aluminum alloy, it boasted a length of over 680 feet and was powered by helium-filled gas cells, offering improved safety over the previously used hydrogen.

The Shenandoah's maiden flight was a spectacle, capturing the imagination of the public and the attention of the world's aviation community. Its successful launch marked a triumph for American aeronautical prowess, showcasing advancements in both materials science and aerodynamics. Despite later tragedies in its operational history, including a fatal crash in 1925, the USS Shenandoah's initial flight symbolized a... Read MORE...

1926 - July 10 - A lightning bolt struck an ammunition magazine in northern New Jersey, and a big red ball of fire leaped into the air triggering a series of explosions.
All buildings within a half mile radius were destroyed, and debris fell as far as twenty-two miles away. Sixteen persons were killed, and property damage was seventy million dollars.
WeatherForYou.com
July 10, 1926

1927 - November 12 - The Holland Tunnel opens to traffic as the first vehicular tunnel under the Hudson River linking New Jersey with New York City.
On November 12, 1927, the Holland Tunnel made history by opening as the first vehicular tunnel under the Hudson River, connecting Jersey City, New Jersey, with Lower Manhattan in New York City. Named after Clifford Milburn Holland, the engineer who designed it but sadly passed away before its completion, the tunnel represented a monumental engineering achievement of its time. Stretching over 1.6 miles long, the Holland Tunnel provided a crucial transportation link, easing congestion on the ferry services that previously dominated travel between New Jersey and Manhattan.

November 12, 1927

1933 - October 17 – Scientist Albert Einstein arrives in the United States where he settles permanently as a refugee from Nazi Germany and takes up a position at the Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton, New Jersey.
In October 1933, Albert Einstein's arrival in the United States marked a pivotal moment both in his personal life and in the realm of scientific history. Fleeing Nazi Germany amid rising persecution of Jewish intellectuals, Einstein, already renowned for his groundbreaking theories in physics, sought refuge in America. His decision to settle permanently in the U.S. was influenced by the political climate in Europe and the opportunity to continue his work unhindered by the increasingly oppressive regime.

Upon arriving in the U.S., Einstein accepted a position at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey, which would become his academic home for the remainder of his career. This move not only secured his safety but also solidified Princeton's reputation as a leading center for theoretical physics. Einstein's presence there attracted numerous scholars and further elevated the institute's status as a hub of intellectual discourse and scientific advancement. His tenure... Read MORE...


Read more about Albert EINSTEIN

1934 - September 8 – Off the New Jersey coast, a fire aboard the passenger liner S.S. Morro Castle kills 134 people.
On September 8, 1934, tragedy struck off the coast of New Jersey when the luxury passenger liner S.S. Morro Castle caught fire under mysterious circumstances. The ship, which was on its way from Havana, Cuba, to New York City, quickly became engulfed in flames, leading to a chaotic and devastating incident. The fire spread rapidly throughout the vessel, exacerbated by strong winds and the ship's highly flammable interiors.

Despite efforts to contain the blaze and evacuate passengers, the Morro Castle became a scene of horror and confusion. A total of 134 people lost their lives in the disaster, either succumbing to the fire itself, smoke inhalation, or drowning after jumping overboard in a desperate bid to escape the inferno.
September 8, 1934

1935 - January 3 – The trial of Bruno Richard Hauptmann, accused of the kidnapping and murder of Charles Lindbergh, Jr., begins in Flemington, New Jersey.
In January 1935, one of the most sensational trials in American history commenced in Flemington, New Jersey. Bruno Richard Hauptmann, a German immigrant carpenter, stood accused of kidnapping and murdering Charles Lindbergh, Jr., the infant son of aviator Charles Lindbergh and Anne Morrow Lindbergh. The case had gripped the nation since March 1932 when the 20-month-old child was snatched from his family's New Jersey home. The ensuing investigation had captured international attention, with the Lindbergh family's fame amplifying public interest in the tragic event.

The trial itself was a media spectacle, drawing massive crowds and intense scrutiny from journalists. Hauptmann's defense maintained his innocence, alleging that he had been framed by authorities who planted evidence against him. However, the prosecution presented compelling circumstantial evidence, including a substantial amount of ransom money found in Hauptmann's possession and a ladder believed to have been used in... Read MORE...

1937 - May 6 – Hindenburg disaster:
In the United States, the German airship Hindenburg bursts into flame when mooring to a mast in Lakehurst, New Jersey. Of the 36 passengers and 61 crew on board, 13 passengers and 22 crew die, as well as one member of the ground crew. (Wikipedia)

SABOTAGE HINTED IN HINDENBURG BLAST.
SEVEN BODIES REMAIN IN DEBRIS.
RUINS UNDER GUARD.
NO ONE PERMITTED TO SPEAK TO SURVIVORS OF DISASTER, WHO SEARCH EMBERS.

Lakehurst, N. J. - All but seven bodies of those who perished in the blazing wreckage of the zeppelin HINDENBURG were believed to have been recovered today.

Bare-headed survivors of the German crew climbed among the smoking debris searching for missing comrades.

Lieut. GEORGE WATSON, naval communications officer here, said it was possible that the seven missing bodies were entirely consumed in the blazing hydrogen and motor fuel that destroyed the airship last night.
Sentries with ready rifles encircled the heap of metal, keeping everyone thirty feet away.

None was... Read MORE...

1951 - New Jersey Turnpike opened
The opening of the New Jersey Turnpike in 1951 marked a significant milestone in American transportation infrastructure. Spanning 118 miles from the George Washington Bridge in Fort Lee to the Delaware Memorial Bridge in Pennsville, the turnpike was a marvel of modern engineering designed to alleviate traffic congestion on existing routes and facilitate faster travel between key points in the northeastern United States. Its construction was part of a broader post-World War II initiative to improve interstate commerce and travel, reflecting America's burgeoning car culture and the need for efficient road networks.

Upon its opening on November 5, 1951, the New Jersey Turnpike quickly became a model for modern highway design, featuring wide lanes, limited access points, and service areas that offered amenities for travelers. It set standards for future interstate highways across the country and contributed to economic growth by enhancing mobility for both commuters and freight... Read MORE...

Here's a list of places to go and things to do in New Jersey:
The Jersey Shore: New Jersey's coastline stretches for over 120 miles and is famous for its beautiful beaches. Some popular shore towns include Cape May, Wildwood, Ocean City, Seaside Heights, and Asbury Park. You can enjoy swimming, sunbathing, boardwalks, and a vibrant nightlife scene.

Atlantic City: Known for its casinos, Atlantic City offers a variety of entertainment options, including gambling, live shows, and excellent dining. The famous Boardwalk is a must-visit.

Liberty State Park: Located in Jersey City, this park offers stunning views of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the Manhattan skyline. It's a great spot for picnics, walking, and biking.

Princeton University: Explore the beautiful campus of Princeton University, known for its historic architecture, including Nassau Hall. Don't miss the Princeton University Art Museum.

Cape May: This charming Victorian town is known for its well-preserved historic buildings, beautiful beaches, and a lovely downtown... Read MORE...