I stubbled across the Famous Firsts webpage today which details quite a few things which happened first in New Jersey. Here are a few featured firsts for South Jersey:
- First Balloon Flight In America
On January 9, 1973, Jean-Pierre Blanchard landed a balloon in Deptford carrying a letter for George Washington. - First Professional Basketball Game
Played in Trenton in 1896 - First Boardwalk in the World
Built in Atlantic City in 1870 - First Salt Water Taffy
Produced in the 1870’s at the Jersey Shore - First Miss America
Chosen in 1921 in Atlantic City - First Condensed Soup
Cooked and Canned in Camden County in 1897 - First Inter-Collegiate Football Game
Played between Rutgers University and Princeton on November 6, 1869 - First Drive-In Movie Theater
Built in 1933 on a 10 acre plot in Camden County - First Airplane Passenger Service
Inaugurated in Atlantic City on May 3, 1919
There are quite a few other “firsts” listed on there from other parts of NJ. I’m wondering if that’s the full list or if there are other things New Jersey was first for that aren’t included. If you know of any please post them in the comments, I would love to know about them.
–Roxanne
