1. In 1820, Maine was officially recognized as a state by the United States government. This came after a lengthy process of negotiating the terms of statehood with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, from which Maine had previously been a part.

2. On January 4, 1895, Augusta native Dr. Alonzo Garcelon passed away. Dr. Garcelon was a prominent physician and politician who served as Maine's governor from 1879 to 1880. He was also a strong advocate for women's suffrage and helped found the Maine Women's Temperance Union.

3. In 1960, an intense winter storm hit Maine on January 4, causing widespread damage and power outages. The storm, which lasted several days, brought heavy snow and high winds that toppled trees and caused significant coastal flooding. It was one of the worst winter storms in Maine's history.

4. On January 4, 1979, Maine's first female governor, Ella T. Grasso, was inaugurated. Grasso was born in Connecticut but spent much of her career in Maine, where she served as the state's commissioner of consumer protection before being elected governor. She was a trailblazer for women in politics and is remembered as a strong, principled leader.

5. In 2003, the Maine Children's Museum, located in Portland, opened its doors for the first time on January 4. The museum offers hands-on exhibits and activities designed to educate and entertain children of all ages. It has since become a beloved institution in the state and has welcomed hundreds of thousands of visitors over the years.