1. In 1776, General George Washington received a letter from New Jersey's Governor William Livingston, requesting aid in the state's fight for independence against the British. This letter prompted Washington to lead an army across the Delaware River, eventually culminating in the famous Battle of Trenton.

2. On August 17, 1790, the Rutgers Preparatory School was founded in New Brunswick, New Jersey. The school was initially established as a college preparatory institution for boys, but went through several changes over the years before finally admitting girls in 1958.

3. In 1899, the first brewery in Atlantic City was opened on August 17 by August Fuhrmann. Fuhrmann's Brewery played a major role in Atlantic City's early development as a popular resort destination, as well as laying the foundation for a thriving beer industry in New Jersey.

4. On August 17, 1949, the Yankees and Red Sox played an epic 12-inning game at the Ruppert Stadium in Newark, New Jersey. Led by legendary players like Joe DiMaggio, Yogi Berra, and Ted Williams, the game was ultimately won by the Yankees 5-4.

5. In 1969, the Morristown National Historical Park was established on August 17, commemorating the site of General George Washington's winter encampment during the Revolutionary War. The park encompasses a number of historical buildings and sites, including Washington's Headquarters and Jockey Hollow.