-
1500
The Delaware Indians
According to NJ.gov (2021), Delaware Indians were the first people to live in New Jersey. It (2021) also states that "they lived here starting at least 10,000 years ago. Anywhere from 8,000 to 20,000 Delaware Indians lived in the area when the first Europeans arrived" (para. 1). The tribe lived in small communities in parts of Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, and spoke an Algonquian dialect. It (2021) also says that "their name means original people or genuine people" (para. 1). -
1524
Giovanni de Verrazano
NJ.gov (2021) states that, "Verrazano became the first European to explore New Jersey. He sailed along the coast and anchored off Sandy Hook" (para. 4). -
Henry Hudson
NJ.gov (2021) claims that, after sailing through the Newark Bay, Hudson claimed the land for the Dutch. This is when New Jersey's colonial history began. The website (2021) states "it was called New Netherlands" (para. 4). After, trade colonies emerged and the first European settlers came to New Jersey. -
Sir George Carteret & Lord John Berkley
On NJ.gov (2021), it is explained that in 1664, the British took control of the land. Sir George Carteret & Lord John Berkley were given control and named it New Jersey (para. 6). They went on to sell the land, allowing political and religious freedom for the settlers. It says "the colony grew to have about 100,000 people" (para. 7). -
Lewis Morris
New Jersey was awarded its first governor! -
The Independent State
According to NJ.gov (2021), "New Jersey declared itself an independent state and joined the colonial side in the Revolutionary War" (para. 9). -
Statehood
As explained on NJ.gov (2021), New Jersey was the third state to ratify the U.S. Constitution. It was also the first state to sign the Bill of Rights. (para. 15) -
Trenton
The state capital of New Jersey was officially chosen! -
Thomas Edison & the Black Maria Movie Studio
A Wired.com article by Tony Long (2000), reveals that Thomas Edison opened America's first film-production studio in New Jersey (para. 3). It was named Black Maria and was located in West Orange. Long (2000) states that this is where "Edison staged his first public demonstrations of films..." (para. 5). NJ.gov (2021) reports that Fort Lee was the "motion picture capital of the world in the early 1900s" (para. 23). -
Newark Airport
It reportedly cost $6 million to build this airport in 1928. NJmonthly.com (2020) states that in 1930 "it was the busiest airport in the nation" (para. 27). -
The New Jersey Turnpike
According to NJmonthly.com (2020), the opening of the turnpike "allowed motorists to drive from Bergen County to Salem County without a single traffic light" (para. 3). It went on to become one of the busiest toll roads in the United States. -
The Garden State Parkway
NJmonthly.com (2020) reports that the opening of the parkway "made it easier and faster for residents of densely packed North Jersey to reach the Jersey Shore" (para. 4). -
The Stone Pony
One of the most iconic music venues in New Jersey opened! According to NJmonthly.com (2020), the venue which is located in Asbury Park, has had performances by Bruce Springsteen and many other rock and roll stars (para. 15). -
The Sopranos
The insanely popular, fictional Mafia show premiered on HBO! According to NJmonthly.com (2020), it was the most-watched series on the network until 2014 (para. 26). The lead actor, James Gandolfini was a NJ native. Many scenes were filmed at now-famous spots in NJ. NJmonthly.com (2020) reports that the final scene was filmed at Holsten's, an ice cream parlor in Bloomfield (para. 26.). -
Hurricane Sandy
As revealed by NJmonthly.com (2020), Superstorm Sandy made landfall near Brigantine (para. 18). The website (2020) says that "with wind speeds of 70-80 miles per hour, Hurricane Sandy ripped apart homes, tore up boardwalks and piers, toppled trees, downed power lines, breached seawalls and flooded streets" (para. 18). -
The Many Saints of Newark
The Sopranos prequel movie premiered!