1. In 1876, the first public zoo in the United States opened in Bridgeport, Connecticut. The "Connecticut Zoological Society" brought together a collection of animals to be cared for at Beardsley Park, and it was soon opened to the public.

2. On August 1, 1955, the Connecticut Turnpike officially opened, connecting Greenwich to Stonington along I-95. The highway was designed to relieve traffic congestion on local roads, and quickly became one of the busiest highways in the country.

3. The Connecticut State Capitol building in Hartford was dedicated on August 1, 1879. The building's iconic marble dome and statues have become a symbol of the state's history and government.

4. On August 1, 1948, the Hartford Circus Fire broke out at the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, killing 167 people and injuring over 700 more. The tragedy led to significant changes in fire safety regulations and public entertainment venues.

5. In 1901, the Hartford Courant became the first newspaper in the country to offer a comic section, which included the popular comic strip "Buster Brown." This innovation helped to establish the Courant as a leader in the publishing industry.