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New Jersey will mark some significant anniversaries in 2025, as you might expect from one of the original 13 colonies in advance of the nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026.

While the anniversaries listed below are centuries old, there are certainly many other days worthy of commemoration in New Jersey in 2025.

The bullet points are a quick and easy way to learn some fun facts about New Jersey’s history.

Enjoy!

• 1775: First Provincial Congress of New Jersey — The First Provincial Congress of New Jersey convened in Trenton in 1775 to establish Colonial governance amid revolutionary unrest. Delegates replaced the royal governor, authorized the issuance of paper currency to support militia efforts and enforced fines on those refusing military service shortly after the American Revolution kicked off. This assembly marked New Jersey’s initial steps toward independence, shaping its role in the war and laying the groundwork for state governance.

• 1825: Queen’s College renamed Rutgers College — Rutgers was one of the nation’s first higher-education institutions. Founded in 1766, when the Colonies were on better terms with England, it was originally named for Great Britain’s queen. Now the state university of New Jersey, the school was given a new name in 1825 to honor Revolutionary War hero and benefactor Col. Henry Rutgers. The colonel donated a college bell and $5,000, saving the institution from financial hardship and setting it on a course to become a major public research university.
• 1875: Prudential Friendly Society founded — In 1875, John Fairfield Dryden founded the Prudential Friendly Society in Newark, pioneering life insurance accessibility for the working class. Dryden’s was the first U.S. company to offer industrial life insurance, which provided small policies with affordable premiums to the working class. The company’s “insurance for the people” philosophy became a cornerstone of its success. Prudential later evolved into a major global financial services provider, but its Newark roots and famed headquarters remain central to its legacy.
• 1875: State constitution amended — Also in 1875, New Jersey amended its 1844 constitution to reflect post-Civil War changes. The change was made to align with the federal 14th and 15th amendments and ensure equal protection and voting rights. The amendment, however, also mandated the establishment of a “thorough and efficient” system of free public schools, cementing the state’s commitment to universal education, yet leaving much up to interpretation. The adjectives nonetheless stuck when the state constitution was rewritten in 1947.
• 1925: Mary Teresa Norton takes office — Mary Teresa Norton in March 1925 became the first woman to represent New Jersey or any state in the Northeast in the U.S. House of Representatives. Representing North Jersey’s 13th District, she was a trailblazer in labor rights, social welfare and women’s issues. Norton, who served until 1951, chaired key committees, including the House Labor Committee. She also played a vital role in shaping the Fair Labor Standards Act. Her historic tenure set a precedent for women’s leadership in American politics.

More about 2025 in New Jersey

Transportation: Commuters, here’s what to expect from NJ Transit, Amtrak and more in 2025

Real estate: Can NJ homebuyers feel more confident in 2025? What experts predict for the market

Development: North Jersey’s development boom is expected to continue into 2025. What’s in store

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NewJerseyDevils.com is the official web site of the New Jersey Devils, a member team of the National Hockey League (“NHL”). NHL, the NHL Shield, the word mark and image of the Stanley Cup and NHL Conference logos are registered trademarks of the National Hockey League. All NHL logos and marks and NHL team logos and marks as well as all other proprietary materials depicted herein are the property of the NHL and the respective NHL teams and may not be reproduced without the prior written consent of NHL Enterprises, L.P. Copyright © 1999-2024 New Jersey Devils and the National Hockey League. All Rights Reserved.