1. On September 19, 1777, American troops led by General Benedict Arnold successfully defended the city of New London against British attack during the Revolutionary War. Arnold would later betray the Continental Army and defect to the British.

2. The Connecticut State House of Representatives held its first session on September 19, 1776, in Hartford. At the time, Connecticut was one of the original 13 colonies fighting for independence from Great Britain.

3. On September 19, 1928, the Connecticut State Library opened its newly built building in Hartford. Today, the library serves as a resource for government officials, researchers, students, and the general public.

4. Connecticut's first recorded plane crash occurred on September 19, 1912, in New Haven. The pilot, Howard Gill, was attempting to fly from New Haven to Hartford in a biplane when the engine failed, forcing him to make an emergency landing in a field.

5. The Connecticut River Museum opened its doors in Essex on September 19, 1975. The museum celebrates the history, ecology, and culture of the Connecticut River and its surrounding communities through exhibits, programs, and special events.