1. In 1815, the State Bank of New Jersey was chartered. It was the first bank in the state and played an important role in financing economic growth in the region.

2. In 1909, New Jersey became the first state to require drivers to pass a written test before obtaining a driver's license. This was a significant step in improving road safety and reducing accidents.

3. In 1929, the first fully automated toll bridge in the world opened in New Jersey. The Delaware River Bridge (now called the Benjamin Franklin Bridge) connected Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Camden, New Jersey and revolutionized transportation across the Delaware River.

4. In 1948, the Garden State Parkway was authorized by the New Jersey Legislature. The 172-mile toll road is one of the most important transportation arteries in the state and has been a crucial factor in the growth of the Jersey Shore as a popular tourist destination.

5. In 2013, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie signed a bill legalizing online gambling in the state. This made New Jersey the third state in the US to legalize online gaming and opened up a new revenue stream for the state.