1. In 1788, Maine became the 23rd state admitted to the United States, after previously being a part of Massachusetts. This made May 26 a historic day for Maine, as it marked the beginning of its independent status and representation in the federal government.

2. In 1864, the Battle of North Anna took place during the American Civil War. This significant battle involved General Ulysses S. Grant's Union forces attempting to break through Confederate General Robert E. Lee's defenses in Virginia. Several Maine regiments, including the 18th, 24th, and 25th, were involved in the intense fighting, which resulted in heavy casualties on both sides.

3. May 26, 1902, marked the opening of the Congress Street Bridge in Portland, Maine. The bridge, which spans the Fore River, connected the neighborhoods of Munjoy Hill and East Deering and was an important link for transportation and trade in the region.

4. In 1925, legendary aviator Charles Lindbergh made a stop in Portland, Maine, during his famous solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean. Lindbergh's arrival in Maine, which occurred on May 26, was met with great excitement and celebration, and he gave a speech to a large crowd at the Portland City Hall.

5. On May 26, 1960, the Blue Hill Observatory in Maine recorded a wind gust of 231 miles per hour, which stood as the highest surface wind speed ever measured on Earth for many years. The gust was part of an intense storm system that swept through New England and caused widespread damage and power outages.