1. Maine Becomes a State: On December 29, 1820, Maine officially became the 23rd state in the United States. This came after a 15-year process of separating from Massachusetts and petitioning for statehood.

2. Birth of an Iconic Author: E.B. White, the author of classics like Charlotte's Web and Stuart Little, was born on December 29, 1899, in Mount Vernon, Maine. White spent much of his life in Maine and his love for the state is reflected in his writing.

3. Tragic Fire in Lewiston: On December 29, 1963, a fire erupted in a department store in downtown Lewiston, Maine. The fire claimed the lives of six firefighters and injured many others. The tragedy led to reforms in fire safety procedures and equipment.

4. Maine's First Female Sheriff: On December 29, 1950, Vesta Stoudt was appointed as the first female sheriff in Maine. Stoudt served as the sheriff of Aroostook County for 24 years and was known for her toughness and dedication to her job.

5. Record Low Temperatures: On December 29, 1933, the temperature in Aroostook County dropped to a bone-chilling -48 degrees Fahrenheit, setting a new record low for the state of Maine. The extreme cold caused widespread power outages and froze equipment and machinery across the region.