* Home
|
-- New Jersey History Timeline - October
|
On October 10 of 1918
During the spread of influenza during the Pandemic of 1918, Newark officials order all schools and businesses to shut, leading to a period when "departments stores were deserted, meetings of fraternal and benevolent organizations were cancelled, and social gatherings were postponed," according to a 1969 article in the Bulletin of the History of Medicine.
During the spread of influenza during the Pandemic of 1918, Newark officials order all schools and businesses to shut, leading to a period when "departments stores were deserted, meetings of fraternal and benevolent organizations were cancelled, and social gatherings were postponed," according to a 1969 article in the Bulletin of the History of Medicine.
On October 10 of 1976 Giants Stadium opens in the Meadowlands with a National Football League game in which the Dallas Cowboys defeat the New York Giants by a score of 24 to 14 before a crowd of 76,042. |
|
On October 11 of 1811
Inventor and Revolutionary War Colonel John Stevens of Hoboken begins operating the first steam-powered ferry, the Juliana, between Manhattan and Hoboken
Inventor and Revolutionary War Colonel John Stevens of Hoboken begins operating the first steam-powered ferry, the Juliana, between Manhattan and Hoboken
On October 12 of 1920
Construction begins on the Hudson River Vehicular Tunnel, later named the Holland Tunnel in memory of its chief engineer Clifford Holland, connecting Jersey City with Lower Manhattan. It was opened on November 13, 1927.
Construction begins on the Hudson River Vehicular Tunnel, later named the Holland Tunnel in memory of its chief engineer Clifford Holland, connecting Jersey City with Lower Manhattan. It was opened on November 13, 1927.
On October 13 of 1868
The faculty of the College of New Jersey approve a resolution permitting students to adopt and wear orange ribbons imprinted with the word “PRINCETON.” The color honors England’s Prince William III of Orange, for whom Nassau Hall on the campus is named. In 1874, William Libbey, Jr., a member of the Class of 1877, obtains 1,000 yards of orange and black ribbon for freshmen to wear as “Princeton’s colors.” They are officially adopted as the university's colors when the College of New Jersey is re-named “Princeton University” in 1896.
The faculty of the College of New Jersey approve a resolution permitting students to adopt and wear orange ribbons imprinted with the word “PRINCETON.” The color honors England’s Prince William III of Orange, for whom Nassau Hall on the campus is named. In 1874, William Libbey, Jr., a member of the Class of 1877, obtains 1,000 yards of orange and black ribbon for freshmen to wear as “Princeton’s colors.” They are officially adopted as the university's colors when the College of New Jersey is re-named “Princeton University” in 1896.
On October 14 of 1878
Thomas Edison files his first patent application for "Improvement In Electric Lights".
Thomas Edison files his first patent application for "Improvement In Electric Lights".
On October 15 of 1928
The German airship Graf Zeppelin completes its first trans-Atlantic flight, landing at Lakehurst
The German airship Graf Zeppelin completes its first trans-Atlantic flight, landing at Lakehurst
On October 16 of 1935
Governor Harold G. Hoffman secretly visits and interviews convicted Lindbergh baby kidnapper Bruno Richard Hauptmann in his cell at the Trenton State Prison.
On October 17 of 1888
Thomas Edison files a patent for the first movie projector, the “Optical Phonograph,” which projects images less than one inch wide across a screen.
Thomas Edison files a patent for the first movie projector, the “Optical Phonograph,” which projects images less than one inch wide across a screen.

On October 18 of 1931
Thomas Alva Edison, one of the most prolific inventors in history awarded 1,093 patents during his lifetime, dies at his home in West Orange at the age of 84
Thomas Alva Edison, one of the most prolific inventors in history awarded 1,093 patents during his lifetime, dies at his home in West Orange at the age of 84
On October 19 of 1915
New Jersey voters in a statewide referendum reject amending the state Constitution to extend the right to vote to women by a vote of 184,390 to 133,282.
New Jersey voters in a statewide referendum reject amending the state Constitution to extend the right to vote to women by a vote of 184,390 to 133,282.
On October 20 of 1931
Thomas Edison funeral is held at his Glenmont estate and laboratory in West Orange attended by First Lady Lou Hoover, Henry Ford and Harvey Firestone, followed by burial in Rosedale Cemetery in East Orange. President Hoover issues a proclamation calling for a national tribute to Edison's memory on the next evening by turning off electric lights for one minute. |
|
On October 21 of 2013
Same sex marriage becomes legally recognized in New Jersey when a trial court ruling takes effect in the case of Garden State Equality v. Dow invalidating the state's restriction of marriage to persons of different sexes and after the State Supreme Court denies a motion to stay the implementation of the lower court's decision.
Same sex marriage becomes legally recognized in New Jersey when a trial court ruling takes effect in the case of Garden State Equality v. Dow invalidating the state's restriction of marriage to persons of different sexes and after the State Supreme Court denies a motion to stay the implementation of the lower court's decision.
On October 22 of 1746
The College of New Jersey (renamed Princeton University in 1896) receives its charter from King George II, under the seal of John Hamilton, Acting Governor of the Royal Province of New Jersey. It is the fourth college to be established in the British colonies—after Harvard (1639), William and Mary (1693) and Yale (1701).
The College of New Jersey (renamed Princeton University in 1896) receives its charter from King George II, under the seal of John Hamilton, Acting Governor of the Royal Province of New Jersey. It is the fourth college to be established in the British colonies—after Harvard (1639), William and Mary (1693) and Yale (1701).
On October 23 of 1935
The mobsters Dutch Schultz, Abe Landau, Otto Berman, and Bernard "Lulu" Rosencrantz are fatally shot at the Palace Chop House in Newark in what becomes known as The Chop House Massacre. The shooting was apparently ordered by the national crime commission syndicate shortly after it had rejected Schultz's proposal to kill US Attorney Thomas Dewey in fear that Schultz would still go ahead with his plan to assassinate Dewey. |
|
On October 24 of 1931
After four years of construction, the George Washington Bridge is dedicated and opened to traffic on the following day. It was the longest main bridge span in the world at the time until being surpassed by the Golden Gate Bridge opened in 1937.
After four years of construction, the George Washington Bridge is dedicated and opened to traffic on the following day. It was the longest main bridge span in the world at the time until being surpassed by the Golden Gate Bridge opened in 1937.

On October 25 of 1902
Woodrow Wilson is inaugurated as president of Princeton University. In his Inaugural Address, he declares: '...And in days quiet and troubled alike Princeton has stood for the nation's service, to produce men and patriots....' His remarks are later adapted for the University's unofficial motto, "Princeton in the nation's service."
Woodrow Wilson is inaugurated as president of Princeton University. In his Inaugural Address, he declares: '...And in days quiet and troubled alike Princeton has stood for the nation's service, to produce men and patriots....' His remarks are later adapted for the University's unofficial motto, "Princeton in the nation's service."

On October 26 of 1963
An estimated 4,000 people join in a civil rights “March on Trenton for Jobs and Freedom.” It is the first statewide civil rights demonstration in the US, having been modeled on the March on Washington the previous August 28.
An estimated 4,000 people join in a civil rights “March on Trenton for Jobs and Freedom.” It is the first statewide civil rights demonstration in the US, having been modeled on the March on Washington the previous August 28.
On October 27 of 1837
William Pennington, a member of the Whig party, is sworn in as the 13th governor of New Jersey and subsequently would be elected to seven successive single-year terms. He is later elected as a Republican to the US House of Representatives and serves as Speaker of the House during his single term from 1859 to 1861.
William Pennington, a member of the Whig party, is sworn in as the 13th governor of New Jersey and subsequently would be elected to seven successive single-year terms. He is later elected as a Republican to the US House of Representatives and serves as Speaker of the House during his single term from 1859 to 1861.
On October 28 of 1886
President Grover Cleveland leads ceremony dedicating the Statue of Liberty, which is followed by the first ticker tape parade as workers in brokerage firms in Manhattan spontaneously throw ticker tape from office windows.
President Grover Cleveland leads ceremony dedicating the Statue of Liberty, which is followed by the first ticker tape parade as workers in brokerage firms in Manhattan spontaneously throw ticker tape from office windows.
On October 29 of 2012
Hurricane Sandy makes landfall in New Jersey with gusts reaching 90 miles per hour and rain and storm surge flooding much of the state. Over two million households lose power, 346,000 homes are damaged or destroyed and the deaths of 37 people are attributed to the effects of the storm.
Hurricane Sandy makes landfall in New Jersey with gusts reaching 90 miles per hour and rain and storm surge flooding much of the state. Over two million households lose power, 346,000 homes are damaged or destroyed and the deaths of 37 people are attributed to the effects of the storm.
|
On October 30 of 1938
The CBS radio broadcast 'War of the Worlds' produced by Orson Welles describing a Martian invasion of the town of 'Grovers Mills' in New Jersey (site in Township of West Windsor) is mistakenly believed by some listeners to be an actual news broadcast, sparking panic and calls to police. |
On October 31 of 2012
President Obama tours storm damage from Hurricane Sandy in New Jersey, with Governor Christie's warm welcome of the President just before the presidential election criticized by some Republicans as undermining voter support for Mitt Romney.