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

1677 New York Governor Andros purchases the land that is now Saugerties, New York from the Esopus Indian Kaelcop, Chief of the Amorgarickakan Family. The price was a blanket, a piece of cloth, a shirt, a loaf of bread, and some coarse fiber.

1865 The NYS Senate creates a state land grant institution with Cornell University

1865 A train carrying the body of deceased President of the United States of America, Abraham Lincoln, makes a stop in Rochester. The train arrived at 3:20a and remained stopped for about 15-minutes before continuing on. There is a plaque on the wall below the train tracks on Allen Street where the train stopped.

2002 Abby Wambach of Rochester scores her first International goal during a friendly match against Finland in San Jose, California after subbing in for Christie Welsh in the 75th minute. The U.S. won 3–0.

2004 The Spirit of Rochester I (aka "Fast Ferry") arrives to the Port of Rochester in Charlotte for the first time since leaving the manufacturer in Australia over two months prior.

2007 The Plattsburgh International Airport dedicates their terminal building on the property formerly housing the Air Force Base.

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.