National New Jersey Day

National New Jersey Day History

National New Jersey Day(NJ) celebrates the state of New Jersey otherwise known as the Garden State. The former Attorney General of NJ, Abraham Browning is credited for the nickname when he gave a speech at the Philadelphia Centennial Exhibition in 1876. Browning said Our Garden State is an immense barrel, filled with good things to eat and open at both ends, with Pennsylvanians grabbing from one end and New Yorkers from the other.

New Jersey is known as a popular vacation destination as it has a long and scenic coastline with 50 seaside resort towns. These towns include Asbury Park, Atlantic City, and Cape May. New Jersey is also considered the Diner capital of the world with over 500 Diners that are typically open late.

Top 10 Facts for National New Jersey Day in 2026

• National New Jersey Day is observed on July 27 as part of a broader project that recognizes all fifty states in the chronological order they ratified the United States Constitution.
• The selection of July 27 for this observance serves to space out state-specific celebrations across the calendar year, rather than marking the actual anniversary of New Jersey's entry into the Union.
• New Jersey achieved its historic status as the third state to join the Union on December 18, 1787.
• The state holds the distinction of being the first to ratify the Bill of Rights, an event that occurred on November 20, 1789.
• Often called the 'Diner Capital of the World,' New Jersey is home to more diners than any other state in the nation.
• During the Revolutionary War, the state was so centrally positioned between major hubs like New York City and Philadelphia that it experienced more battles than any other state.
• The state's nickname, the 'Garden State,' highlights its significant agricultural production, including world-renowned crops such as cranberries, blueberries, and tomatoes.
• Innovation has long been tied to the state, which served as the home for Thomas Edison’s laboratories in Menlo Park where he developed technologies that reshaped the modern world.
• The inventor John P. Holland, a schoolteacher from Paterson, successfully designed and tested the modern submarine in New Jersey waters.
• Famous journalist Nellie Bly, known for her record-breaking trip around the world, began and ended her historic journey in the New Jersey cities of Hoboken and Jersey City.

In the News and Trending for National New Jersey Day

Top things to do for National New Jersey Day

• Visit New Jersey! Go on historic tours, visit national parks, or just participate in leisure activities. Here are more things you can do in New Jersey.
• Eat food special to New Jersey. Known as the Diner Capital of the World, some popular New Jersey foods include hoagies, pork rolls, salt water taffy, and tomato pies.
• Watch a movie set in New Jersey. Here are our suggestions:
  Garden State (2004)
  Chasing Amy (1997)
  Clerks (1994)