1. New York became the 11th state of the Union on July 1, 1788. At that time, it was a predominantly rural state, with its economy revolving around agriculture and commerce.

2. The iconic Brooklyn Bridge, one of New York's most recognizable landmarks, was opened on July 1, 1883. At the time of its construction, it was the longest suspension bridge in the world, spanning over 1,500 feet.

3. On July 1, 1971, the United States Postal Service officially took over mail delivery from the United States Post Office Department. This marked a major shift in the way mail was delivered and managed in New York City and beyond.

4. In 1949, the first television broadcast of a sports game in the United States was made from Ebbets Field in Brooklyn on July 1. The game featured the Brooklyn Dodgers and the Cincinnati Reds, and was broadcast to approximately ten thousand viewers in the New York City area.

5. On July 1, 1908, the first commercial flight in the United States took off from Sheepshead Bay in Brooklyn. The flight, which was piloted by Wilbur Wright, lasted only a few minutes but marked a major milestone in aviation history.