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

1798 An act passed by New York Legislature defines the borders of the Village of Utica

1801 All counties in New York State are redefined.

1807 The Village of Otsego is incorporated, later would become Cooperstown

1816 The first edition of the Rochester Gazette, published by Dauby & Sheldon in the city of Rochester, is published.

1821 The town of Iverness is renamed to the town of Wheatland. John Garbutt, former Supervisor of the Town of Caledonia and then Supervisor for the Town of Wheatland, was English born, and unhappy with the Scottish origins of the town's original name.

1934 The very last Franklin Automobile Company car is produced at their plant in Syracuse.

2003 In the evening of April 3, an Ice Storm begins that would cover the region in a sheet of ice for two days. Approximately 100,000 homes in the Rochester area were without power.

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.