29. 1993 – The Liberty Science Center Opened in Jersey City
Source:Wikipedia
The existence of magic promptly demonstrated.
28. 2009 – Jersey Shore Airs on MTV
Source:http://gossipoverload.com
People in New Jersey are pissed off for the next three years.
27. 1962 – Sandy Hook State Park Opened
Source:Wikipedia
Class trips have never been the same for 4th graders ever since.
26. 1886 – Statue of Liberty Dedicated
Source:Wikipedia
New York starts tradition of stealing NJ thunder.
25. 1968 – The Jets Win the Superbowl
Source:sportsillustrated.cnn.com
While not technically a NJ team, The Meadowlands hosts the freaking stadium!
24. 1746 – Princeton University is Chartered
Source:Wikipedia
It costs a whopping 15 schillings per quarter. What’s a schilling?
23. 1957 – The Garden State Parkway is Complete
Source:Wikipedia
The Parkway Cements Jerseyans sense of placement with the saying “I live off of Exit X on the Parkway.”
22. 1997 – The New Jersey Performing Arts Center Opens in Newark
Source:http://seatgeek.com/
It’s a Jersey rite of passage to see a performance here.
21. 1902 – Monopoly Debuts with Street Names From Atlantic City
Try playing financial crisis-opoly. It’s Monopoly but, like in the financial crisis, you can do whatever the heck you want.
20. 1933 – The First Drive-In Theater in the Country Opens in Camden, New Jersey
Source:http://blog.modernmechanix.com/
Because where else would you make out in high school?
19. 1610 – Bagels Created
Source:Wikipedia
While bagels weren’t invented in Jersey, they were perfected here. NJ Bagels > NY Bagels, simple fact.
18. 1879 – Thomas Edison Invents the Commercial Lightbulb in Menlo Park
Source:Wikipedia
He also invented the phonograph and motion pictures at the same lab. And probably porn.
17. 1787 – New Jersey Admitted to the Union on December 18, 1787
Source:Wikipedia
Because every country needs an armpit. 😉
16. 1981 – Bruce Springsteen Opens the Brendan Byrne Arena, Now Known as Continental Airlines Arena
Source:flickr user Joe Shlabotnik
Bon Jovi would have probably been better, he just didn’t exist yet.
15. 1995 – New Jersey Devils Win the NHL’s Stanley Cup (Again in 2000 and 2003)
Source:Wikipedia
Scott Stevens & Martin Brodeur become indelible parts of NJ history.
14. 1976 – Wise New Jersey Voters Approve Casino Gambling for Atlantic City
Source:Wikipedia
Boardwalk Empire ensues.
13. 1915 – Frank Sinatra Born in Hoboken
Source:Wikipedia
Only New Jersey could inspire such greatness.
12. 1893 – Jersey Tomatoes Get So Famous They Legally Turn into Vegetables
Source:http://joshthomsen.com/
Now if only popcorn had been invented in NJ.
11. 2007 – NJ Recognizes Civil Unions of Same-Sex Couples on February 17
Source:http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/
It’s too bad we weren’t the first, but at least we are ahead of the curve on this one.
10. 1766 – William Franklin Signs Charter for Rutgers University
Source:Wikipedia
I have more friends that went to Rutgers than I can count. It’s the educational backbone of Jersey.
9. 1937 – Jackie Robinson Broke Organized Baseball’s “Color Line” at Roosevelt Stadium in Jersey City
Source:Wikipedia
While it was only Jackie Robinson’s first minor league game, it is still an important part of US, an Jersey, history.
8. 1989 – Weird NJ Sends Its First Newsletter, Releasing the Inside Scoop on all NJ Legends to the World
Source:http://weirdnj.com
Someone should really make a scavenger hunt comprised of going to as many of these landmarks as possible in one week.
7. 1949 – The State Legislature Mandates Gas Station Attendants
Source:http://mentalfloss.com/
Jersey Girls will never learn to pump their own gas. Plus, we’d blow ourselves up otherwise.
6. 1957 – Westfield Garden State Plaza opens, Shopping Malls Solidified as a Way of Life in NJ
Source:Wikipedia
I rep the Bridgewater Mall, but general fun fact: Jersey has the most shopping malls in one area in the world with seven major shopping malls in a 25 square-mile radius.
5. 1908 – Legend of the “Jersey Devil” Revived, Horrifying Middle Schoolers for Years
Source:Wikipedia
When you think about it, the Jersey Devil is a job creator creating countless jobs for “professional monster hunters” and urban legend-ists.
4.1865 – Barnegat Lighthouse Built and the Jersey Shore Goes Legit
Source:Wikipedia
LBI is put on the map for more than just the locals. Bumper sticker producers also get a boost.
3. 1987 – The Giants Win Their First Super Bowl, LT Becomes the Name of Every Fan’s Dog
Source:http://assets.nydailynews.com/
Every season with the Giants is a rollercoaster, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
2. 1917 – Diners Created by Bayonne Legend Jerry O’Mahonys
Source:Wikipedia
Eating at the local Chester Diner was more regular than church for me growing up. Thanks, Jerry.
1. 1856 – Taylor Ham developed by John Taylor of Trenton
Source:Wikipedia
Pork roll was never the same.
