1. In 1782, the first American dark horse candidate for president, DeWitt Clinton, was born in Little Britain. He later became the governor of New York and was instrumental in the construction of the Erie Canal.

2. In 1896, St. John's Episcopal Church in Bridgeport was consecrated. The church is known for its beautiful stained glass windows, many of which were created by the renowned artist Louis Comfort Tiffany.

3. In 1926, the Westport Country Playhouse opened its doors for the first time. The theater has been a cultural landmark in Connecticut ever since, hosting plays by some of the most famous playwrights of the 20th century, including Tennessee Williams, Arthur Miller, and Neil Simon.

4. In 1955, the first McDonald's restaurant in Connecticut opened in Hamden. This marked the beginning of the fast-food chain's expansion across the state, which now boasts over 100 locations.

5. In 1968, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for the Hartford Civic Center, a multi-purpose arena that would become the home of the Hartford Whalers hockey team and host many concerts and events over the years. The arena was demolished in 2019 to make way for a new development.