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

1844 Cassius Marcellus Coolidge, notable artist responsible for the "Dogs Playing Poker" painting and standing murals with faces cutout for people to pose in, is born in Antwerp, New York in Jefferson County. 1846 The Maid Of The Mist makes its maiden voyage. At the time, the 100-person boat was a ferry that moved people back and forth from the U.S. side to Canada. The two-stage barge-like steamer was designed to make travel from NYC to Toronto easier. This first Maid Of the Mist was a 72-foot-long side-wheeler with an 18-foot beam powered by steam produced from a wood-and coal-fired boiler. 1889 Heinie Groh , Major League Baseball third baseman for the Cincinnati Reds and New York Giants, is born in Rochester, New York.

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.