1. On March 28, 1795, the Portland Observatory opened to the public. It was the first such tower on the eastern coast of the United States and was used to signal incoming ships to merchants on shore.

2. Maine's first state-owned and operated ferry was launched on March 28, 1933, between Rockland and Vinalhaven. Before that time, private ferry companies provided the service, which was essential to the islands' commerce.

3. The first female mayor of Portland, and the first female mayor of any New England city of comparable size, was Dorothy E. Kelly, who was elected on March 28, 1949.

4. On this day in 1960, the USS Seawolf (SSN-575) became the first nuclear-powered submarine to enter Portland Harbor. It was open to public tours during its four-day stay.

5. Maine's first commercial wind farm, the Mars Hill Wind Farm, opened on March 28, 2007. The 28-turbine project provides energy for thousands of homes in Aroostook County.