1. On August 31, 1955, one of the deadliest hurricanes in Connecticut's history hit the state. Hurricane Diane caused widespread flooding and resulted in 87 fatalities, making it one of the most destructive hurricanes to hit the Northeast.

2. The Connecticut State Capitol was officially dedicated on August 31, 1878, after nearly six years of construction. The building, located in Hartford, is a prime example of Victorian architecture and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

3. On August 31, 1765, a group of Yale students founded the Linonian Society, which later merged with another student group to form the Yale Literary Magazine, one of the oldest continuously published college literary magazines in the country.

4. The famous actress Katharine Hepburn, who was born and raised in Connecticut, passed away on August 31, 2003, at the age of 96. Hepburn won four Academy Awards during her career and is considered one of the greatest actresses of all time.

5. On August 31, 1943, submarine USS Finback rescued future President George H.W. Bush after his plane was shot down during a bombing mission over the Pacific. Bush was one of only two survivors from the attack and spent the next month aboard the submarine before being rescued by a U.S. Navy ship.