1. On January 24, 1798, Maine became the 23rd state in the United States. It was previously a part of Massachusetts and became an independent state due to disagreements between the two territories.

2. In 1905, a severe snowstorm hit Maine and caused a train to derail near Bangor. The disaster killed 2 people and injured several others.

3. On January 24, 1939, the state legislature of Maine established the University of Maine Cooperative Extension Service. This program provides agricultural, economic, educational, and nutritional outreach to Maine communities.

4. In 1988, Maine Senator William Cohen was appointed the Secretary of Defense by President George H.W. Bush. Cohen, a Republican, served in this role until 1997.

5. On January 24, 2004, Maine's first female governor, Governor Barbara Roberts, was inaugurated. Roberts served as Governor from 1991-1995 in Oregon and was brought to Maine to serve as the President of the University of Maine System.