1. In 1865, the Connecticut State Senate voted to ratify the 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution, which abolished slavery.

2. In 1901, George Coy, a Connecticut-based inventor, received a patent for his "Process of Printing on Corrugated Surfaces." This innovation revolutionized the production of cardboard boxes and helped to make Connecticut a hub for the packaging industry.

3. In 1915, a massive blizzard struck Connecticut, dumping up to 3 feet of snow in some areas and causing widespread disruption to transportation and daily life. The storm remains one of the worst in the state's history.

4. In 1955, the University of Connecticut men's basketball team played their first game at the new Harry A. Gampel Pavilion in Storrs, CT. The Huskies defeated the Yale Bulldogs 70-59 in front of a crowd of over 3,000 spectators.

5. In 2003, Governor John G. Rowland announced a controversial plan to lease the Connecticut State Lottery to a private company for 15 years in exchange for a lump sum payment of $1 billion. The proposal faced significant opposition from lawmakers and citizens concerned about the potential impact on public services and gambling addiction. Ultimately, the plan was abandoned.