1. In 1862, the Battle of New Bern took place in North Carolina, which was led by Maine's 25th Infantry Regiment. The regiment was composed mostly of African American soldiers, and their participation in the battle was a significant milestone in African American military history.

2. In 1930, the Maine State Prison in Thomaston experienced its first major prison break. The escape was planned by a group of inmates over a period of several months and involved digging a tunnel beneath the prison walls. The escape was successful, and all but one of the inmates were eventually captured and returned to prison.

3. In 1954, Hurricane Carol made landfall in Maine, causing widespread damage and destruction. The storm brought heavy rains and high winds, which knocked down trees, power lines, and buildings. Carol was one of the most damaging hurricanes to ever hit Maine.

4. In 1967, the Maine Turnpike opened to traffic. The 109-mile highway connects Kittery to Augusta and was a major infrastructure project for the state of Maine. The turnpike made travel between major cities in Maine quicker and easier, and it has been an important driver of economic growth in the state.

5. In 1993, the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife released the first of several batches of Canadian lynx into the state's wilderness areas. The lynx had been extirpated from Maine in the 20th century due to habitat destruction and hunting, but the reintroduction program has been successful in restoring the species to the state. Today, Maine is home to one of the largest populations of lynx in the eastern United States.