1. In 1817, Maine officially became the 23rd state in the United States. This followed a lengthy process of separating from Massachusetts and forming its own government. March 30 is celebrated as Maine Statehood Day in recognition of this historic event.

2. On March 30, 1850, Portland's Grand Trunk Railway Station officially opened. This was a major transportation hub for freight and passengers traveling throughout Maine and across the border into Canada. Today, the station has been transformed into a transportation museum that showcases the state's rich railroad history.

3. Maine's most devastating flood in history occurred on March 30, 1896. Known as the Great Flood of 1896, heavy rain and snowmelt caused rivers to swell and dams to break, resulting in widespread damage and loss of life. In Portland alone, over 300 homes were destroyed and dozens of people lost their lives.

4. The famed Maine painter Marsden Hartley was born on March 30, 1877, in Lewiston. Hartley's work is celebrated for its depiction of the landscapes, people, and traditions of Maine. His paintings are now held in collections around the world, including the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City.

5. In 1913, the first issue of the Maine Coast Fisherman, now known as the Maine Fisherman's Forum, was published on March 30. The forum brings together fishermen, seafood processors, scientists, and policymakers to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing Maine's fishing industry. The annual forum is now one of the largest seafood trade shows in the United States.