1. In 1968, the New Jersey Turnpike became the first highway in the United States to use high-tech electronic toll collection methods. This innovation helped reduce traffic congestion and increase highway safety, and was eventually adopted by other toll roads across the country.

2. On July 30, 1778, British troops under General Henry Clinton landed at Sandy Hook in Monmouth County, New Jersey, as part of a campaign to take control of New York City. The resulting Battle of Monmouth, fought in late June of that year, ended in a strategic victory for the Continental Army and marked a turning point in the Revolutionary War.

3. In 1864, the Battle of the Crater took place in Petersburg, Virginia, during which a group of Union soldiers from the 48th Regiment of New Jersey Volunteers played a key role. The battle, which lasted only a few hours and resulted in heavy casualties on both sides, was significant for its use of a massive explosion in the Confederate line, caused by the detonation of 320 kegs of gunpowder.

4. On July 30, 1947, a group of aliens reportedly crash-landed in Roswell, New Mexico, sparking a wave of conspiracy theories and speculation about extraterrestrial life. Although there is no official connection to New Jersey, the incident continues to inspire fascination and intrigue to this day.

5. In more recent years, July 30 has been celebrated as National Cheesecake Day, a nod to the state's reputation as a center of culinary innovation and world-class dining. With its abundant farms and access to fresh ingredients, New Jersey has long been known for its cheesecake, which is often considered among the best in the world.