This Day In New York History

There are a lot places to find information on New York history. Plenty of organizations do a great job telling in depth stories about specific battles, famous people, and even small town tales. All of that history comes with important dates in our past.

This page is an evolving attempt to try and capture the important dates in the Empire State’s past. The database includes historic events, births, and deaths that took place on this day in history. Each one in some way directly relates to Upstate.

This database is a work in progress and is updated regularly with historic dates. Some will be wide reaching and recognizable across Upstate. Others will be noteworthy only to those who live right in the region.

Regardless of the relation, all of the dates and events included in this database have had an impact in some way to the history of Upstate New York.

Today’s Events

1836 Harriet Maxwell Converse, author, folklorist, poet, and historian made an honorary member of the Seneca clan, is born in Elmira.

1964 Funfair Amusement Center, a game room, becomes the first business within Midtown Plaza to close. The establishment had been deemed a "trouble spot" by police because of the large number of young men "clad in tight jeans and leather jackets" that were intimidating to middle-class shoppers.

1997 A snowstorm begins in Tug Hill that would later set an unofficial record. During the following 24 hours, 77 inches of snow fell in the area.

2018 A report is released at the University of Rochester following an independent investigation in response to a complaint filed by eight current and former faculty members of the college alleging sexual misconduct and harassment by a tenure track faculty member. The report stated that policy had not been violated, though students were outraged, and ultimately the university's president would resign later that same day.

2018 Following the wake of months long scandal, University of Rochester President Joel Seligma resigns.

Looking for more? You’ll find a whole bunch of Upstate history in the facts section.

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Whether it’s the closing an iconic restaurant, the birth of a well known Upstater, or a news event that made waves, it’s an important piece of our past. It may seem inconsequential, but preserving the past is an integral part of our local storytelling.

If you have a piece of history related to New York that you feel should be included, please submit using this contact form.