1. In 1787, Connecticut became the fifth state to ratify the United States Constitution, which established the framework for the American government that still exists today.

2. On July 13, 1870, the first double-track railroad bridge in the United States was opened across the Connecticut River between Springfield, Massachusetts and Hartford, Connecticut. It was an engineering marvel of its time and helped solidify Connecticut's reputation as a center of innovation and technology.

3. In 1963, the Connecticut State Police became the first state police agency in the nation to adopt patrol cars equipped with two-way radios. This innovation greatly improved communication between officers and helped improve public safety throughout the state.

4. On July 13, 1971, the Connecticut Supreme Court ruled that the state's death penalty was unconstitutional, becoming one of the first states to abolish the practice. The ruling was based on the state constitution's prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment.

5. In 1996, the Connecticut-based telecommunications company WorldCom announced a merger with MCI Communications, creating what was then the largest company in the world. The merger had a significant impact on the global telecommunications industry and helped cement Connecticut's reputation as a center of business and commerce.