1. On December 3, 1824, Maine became the 23rd state to be admitted to the Union. The process of Maine's statehood was a contentious and divisive issue, with the state initially being proposed as a neutral zone that would diffuse tensions between the pro-slavery South and the anti-slavery North.
2. In 1877, the Grand Trunk Railway's locomotive and freight station in Portland, Maine, burned down in a massive fire. The station was rebuilt in a grander style and is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
3. December 3rd marks the anniversary of the forming of the Maine State Parks Commission in 1941. Today, Maine boasts a rich system of state parks, including popular destinations such as Acadia National Park.
4. In 1976, the Greek freighter MV Angelos sank off the coast of Maine after colliding with the tanker MV Lillian S. While all 32 crew members were rescued, the incident caused a significant environmental disaster, with thousands of gallons of oil spilling into the ocean.
5. On December 3, 2012, the city of Portland, Maine, elected its first openly gay mayor, Michael F. Brennan. Brennan served two terms as mayor, working to promote economic development, expand public transportation, and address issues such as homelessness and affordable housing in the city.