1. Pennsylvania became a state on January 1, 1787, making it one of the original 13 colonies. Interestingly, the statehood process was not without controversy, as some residents of Pennsylvania were opposed to ratifying the U.S. Constitution.

2. On January 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which declared that all slaves in states in rebellion against the United States were to be set free. Although the Proclamation did not immediately free all slaves, it was a major step towards emancipation and helped to shape the course of the Civil War.

3. January 1, 1898 marked the inauguration of Pennsylvania's first native-born governor, Daniel H. Hastings. Prior to his election as governor, Hastings had served as a state senator and had been involved in the state's National Guard.

4. In 1923, the Pennsylvania Railroad held a grand opening ceremony for its new 30th Street Station in Philadelphia on January 1. The station, which was designed in the Beaux-Arts style, remains a prominent landmark in the city today.

5. On January 1, 1947, the Philadelphia Warriors (now the Golden State Warriors) defeated the Washington Capitols in the first-ever NBA game played. The game was held at the Arena in Philadelphia and drew a crowd of over 8,000 spectators.