1. In 1823, the first issue of the Maine Farmer newspaper was published in Augusta. It was dedicated to agriculture and provided information on local crops and farming practices.

2. On February 12, 1879, the Bangor Fire Department was established. This was a significant milestone in the history of firefighting in Maine as it marked the beginning of a formalized fire department that would respond to emergencies throughout the city.

3. In 1909, the Maine Legislature abolished the state's prohibition laws. This led to a brief period of legal alcohol sales before the national prohibition movement gained momentum and Maine became a dry state again in 1917.

4. On February 12, 1929, Senator Margaret Chase Smith was elected to the US House of Representatives, becoming the first woman to represent Maine in Congress. She went on to serve as Senator from Maine from 1949 to 1973.

5. In 1996, Maine became the first state in the country to pass a "clean elections" law, which provides public funding for political candidates who agree to certain spending limits and donor restrictions. This law has transformed Maine politics by reducing the influence of special interests and increasing the diversity of candidates who can run for office.