1. On November 20, 1974, the Portland City Council rejected a proposal to convert a downtown building into a homeless shelter, sparking controversy and protests. The decision fueled the formation of the Maine Coalition for the Homeless, which advocated for the rights and needs of homeless individuals in the state.

2. In 1943, the USS Wahoo, a submarine under the command of Maine-native Dudley W. "Mush" Morton, was sunk by enemy fire during a mission in the Sea of Japan. The vessel and its crew of 80 men remain missing to this day.

3. On November 20, 1923, the State House in Augusta caught fire and was almost completely destroyed. While several priceless artifacts and documents were lost, many were saved thanks to the heroic efforts of firefighters and capitol staff members.

4. In 1962, Maine-born astronaut Chris Cassidy was born. Cassidy has logged over 376 days in space across three missions, and in 2020 he was named commander of the International Space Station for Expedition 63.

5. On November 20, 1864, the 20th Maine Infantry Regiment, led by future governor Joshua Chamberlain, played a pivotal role in the Battle of Franklin during the Civil War. The regiment successfully defended a key position in the Union line, despite being vastly outnumbered, helping to secure a critical victory for the Union army.