“Milestone Moments: Celebrating Remarkable Anniversaries!”

Though the anniversaries highlighted below are centuries-old, numerous other days merit recognition in New Jersey during 2025.

The bullet points provide a quick and straightforward method to discover intriguing facts about New Jersey’s history.

Enjoy!

• 1775: First Provincial Congress of New Jersey — The First Provincial Congress of New Jersey convened in Trenton in 1775 to establish Colonial governance amidst revolutionary turbulence. Delegates ousted the royal governor, sanctioned the issuance of paper currency to aid militia efforts, and imposed fines on individuals who resisted military service shortly after the onset of the American Revolution. This assembly marked New Jersey’s initial strides toward independence, crafting its role in the war and laying the foundation for state governance.

• 1825: Queen’s College renamed Rutgers College — Rutgers was among the earliest institutions of higher learning in the nation. Established in 1766, during a period of cordial relations with England, it was initially named after Great Britain’s queen. Now New Jersey’s state university, it received its new title in 1825 to honor Revolutionary War figure and benefactor Col. Henry Rutgers. The colonel contributed a college bell and $5,000, rescuing the institution from financial difficulties and setting it on a path to become a prominent public research university.
• 1875: Prudential Friendly Society founded — In 1875, John Fairfield Dryden established the Prudential Friendly Society in Newark, making life insurance available to the working class. Dryden’s company was the first in the U.S. to provide industrial life insurance, which offered small policies at affordable rates for the working class. The company’s motto of “insurance for the people” became a fundamental aspect of its success. Prudential later transformed into a major global financial services entity, yet its Newark origins and renowned headquarters remain pivotal to its heritage.
• 1875: State constitution amended — Also in 1875, New Jersey modified its 1844 constitution to accommodate changes post-Civil War. This adjustment was necessary to align with the federal 14th and 15th amendments, ensuring equal protection and voting rights. Nevertheless, the amendment also necessitated the creation of a “thorough and efficient” system of free public schools, solidifying the state’s devotion to universal education while leaving much open to interpretation. The descriptors remained when the state constitution was revised in 1947.
• 1925: Mary Teresa Norton takes office — In March 1925, Mary Teresa Norton made history by becoming the first woman to represent New Jersey or any state in the Northeast within the U.S. House of Representatives. Serving North Jersey’s 13th District, she was a pioneer in labor rights, social welfare, and women’s concerns. Norton, who served until 1951, chaired essential committees, including the House Labor Committee. She significantly contributed to the development of the Fair Labor Standards Act. Her groundbreaking tenure established a precedent for women’s leadership in American politics.