1. In 1813, the USS Enterprise captured the HMS Boxer off the coast of Maine. This naval battle is known as the Battle of Ball's Bluff and is considered a significant victory for the U.S. during the War of 1812.

2. In 1917, the city of Portland, Maine was rocked by a massive explosion caused by a ship carrying explosives destined for Europe. The blast was so powerful that it was felt as far away as Massachusetts and caused extensive damage to the city's buildings and infrastructure.

3. In 1967, the first-ever Maine Marathon was held in Portland. The course wound through the city's streets and finished at the Maine State Pier.

4. In 1979, a group of students at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine founded the Common Ground Country Fair. This annual event is now one of the largest and most popular agricultural fairs in the country, drawing thousands of visitors from all over the world.

5. In 2017, Maine celebrated its bicentennial as a state. To mark this milestone, a series of events and exhibitions were held throughout the year, including a special ceremony on Statehood Day (March 15) and a traveling history exhibit called "Maine 200."