1. In 1776, the New York Provincial Congress declared its independence from Great Britain.

2. On July 8, 1853, the first major riot in New York City history occurred over a two-day period. Known as the Astor Place Riot, it was sparked by a rivalry between popular actors Edwin Forrest and William Macready.

3. In 1870, the Metropolitan Museum of Art opened its doors to the public for the first time. Today, it is one of the largest and most renowned art museums in the world.

4. On July 8, 1889, The Wall Street Journal was first published. The paper has since become one of the most respected and widely read financial publications in the world.

5. In 1947, a record-breaking heatwave swept across New York City, with temperatures soaring above 100 degrees Fahrenheit for several days. It was one of the hottest periods in the city's history and resulted in dozens of deaths due to heatstroke and other heat-related illnesses.