1. On September 23, 1780, British forces led by Benedict Arnold burned the town of New London, Connecticut, during the Revolutionary War. The attack resulted in the deaths of 143 American soldiers and sailors and 158 British soldiers.

2. In 1868 on this day, Connecticut adopted its state constitution, which is the fourth oldest constitution in the United States that is still in use.

3. On September 23, 1875, the first constitutional amendment granting women the right to vote in Connecticut was introduced in the state legislature. Although the amendment did not pass, it paved the way for future efforts to secure voting rights for women.

4. In 1895 on this day, the Hartford Public High School opened its doors to students for the first time. It is the oldest public high school in Connecticut and one of the oldest in the United States.

5. On September 23, 2002, Connecticut became the first state in the nation to adopt a law requiring that all new handguns sold in the state be equipped with personalized or "smart" technology to prevent unauthorized use. The law was designed to address concerns about gun violence and accidental shootings.