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

1916 Effective on this day, regarding an Executive Order signed by President Woodrow Wilson a few days before, the Port of Entry at Charlotte ceases to exist as a separate port apart from Rochester.

1948 Musician Rick James is born in Buffalo

2003 Michael P. Anderson, born in Plattsburgh, is killed with six other astronauts when the Columbia Space Shuttle explodes.

2006 Much to the surprise of his supporters, Tom Golisano of Paychex announces he will not run for governor of New York after all.

2008 The University of Rochester renames their mascot. The Yellowjacket mascot had been known as "URBee" since 1983, but as of this day, the predatory wasp would be known as "Rocky".

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

Submit

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.