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Passaic, New Jersey

A densely packed North Jersey city on the Passaic River, Passaic was an industrial powerhouse known as the "Birthplace of Television" — Philo Farnsworth demonstrated early TV technology at a factory here. Its textile mills drew waves of immigrants, and today the city is predominantly Hispanic with a vibrant Dominican and Mexican community.
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Founded 1678 | Population 73,000 | Peak 73,000 (2024) | County Passaic County

Top 10 Most Important Events for Passaic, New Jersey

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1678 Settled: Dutch colonists settled along the Passaic River.
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1857 Textile Mills: Passaic became a major woolen textile center with massive riverside mills.
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1926 Textile Strike: A massive textile workers strike drew national attention and involvement from civil liberties organizations.
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1931 Television Pioneer: Philo Farnsworth's labs in Passaic contributed to early television development, earning the city its claim as "Birthplace of Television."
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2012 Hurricane Sandy: Hurricane Sandy caused severe flooding along the Passaic River, displacing thousands.
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Latest News in Passaic

Mar 23, 2026
Trump Administration Deploys ICE Agents to Major Airports Amid Partial DHS Funding Impasse
WASHINGTON—Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have been stationed at more than a dozen major U.S. airports as a partial …
May 12, 2016
Tattoo Haunted Teen Girl 2 Years Photo
New York, May 12, 2016 — A teenage girl’s regret over a hasty tattoo decision captured online attention this week, turning…
Apr 25, 2016
Prosecutors New Jersey Daycare Ran Fight Club Young Children
Hackensack, N.J. – Prosecutors dropped a bombshell accusation on April 25, 2016, claiming a local daycare center had devolved in…
Apr 25, 2016
New Jersey University Probes Threats Against African Americans
New Brunswick, N.J. (April 25, 2016) — A New Jersey university launched an investigation into a wave of threatening messages aim…
Feb 15, 2016
Chris Christie Slams Michelle Obama Interfering School Meals
Trenton, NJ – On February 15, 2016, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie didn’t hold back when he blasted First Lady Michell…
Feb 12, 2016
Kansas Legislature Proposes Bar Lottery Winners Collecting Government
Topeka, Kansas (February 12, 2016) – In a move that stirred up talk about welfare and personal fortune, the Kansas Legislature p…

Complete Historical Timeline

1678 Culture
Settled
1857 Industry
Textile Mills
1926 Politics
Textile Strike
1931 Culture
Television Pioneer
2012 Disaster
Hurricane Sandy

Did You Know?

1
Named for the Passaic River.
2
One of NJ's most diverse cities with large Latino communities.
3
Was a major textile manufacturing center.
4
Passaic is located in Passaic County, New Jersey.
5
Passaic was founded in 1678.

Famous People from Passaic, New Jersey

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Zoe Saldaña
Actor, Ballet Dancer · Born Jun 19, 1978 · Age 47
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Paul Rudd
Screenwriter, Actor · Born Apr 6, 1969 · Age 56
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Robert Smithson
Photographer, Geologist · Born Jan 2, 1938 · Died Jul 20, 1973 (age 35)
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Mitch Albom
Screenwriter, Writer · Born May 23, 1958 · Age 67
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Liza Weil
Actor, Television Actor · Born Jun 5, 1977 · Age 48

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