1) On October 28, 1775, the British fleet under the command of Henry Mowat bombarded and destroyed Falmouth (now Portland), Maine, in a retaliatory measure against the rebellious American colonies during the Revolutionary War. The attack caused significant damage and forced many residents to flee their homes.

2) October 28, 1825, marked the formal opening of the Maine State Capitol building in Augusta. The impressive Greek Revival structure, designed by architect Charles Bulfinch, housed both the legislative chambers and the offices of the governor and other state officers.

3) On October 28, 1853, the schooner Mary E became the first recorded vessel built by a woman to sail around Cape Horn, the southernmost point of South America. Mary E Patten, the wife of the ship's captain, took charge of the vessel when her husband fell ill during the grueling voyage from New York to San Francisco.

4) Veteran Maine politician Margaret Chase Smith was born on October 28, 1897, in Skowhegan. Smith, who served as a U.S. Representative and Senator, was the first woman to be elected to both houses of Congress and was known for her outspokenness and independent spirit.

5) October 28, 1991, was a memorable day for the University of Maine hockey team, which defeated the defending national champions Northern Michigan University in a thrilling 6-5 overtime victory at Alfond Arena. The Black Bears went on to win their first NCAA championship that season, led by future NHL stars Paul Kariya and Garth Snow.