1. In 1789, Maine became the 23rd state to join the Union. Its capital city is Augusta, and its state motto is "Dirigo," meaning "I direct."

2. On September 25, 1820, the Maine State Constitution was adopted after a long and contentious process. The Constitution established Maine as a state separate from Massachusetts, and included provisions for the separation of powers, religious freedom, and the right to bear arms.

3. Several notable events in Maine's naval history occurred on September 25. In 1813, the USS Enterprise captured the HMS Boxer off Maine's coast, in one of the most famous naval engagements of the War of 1812. In 1918, the USS Langley, the first American aircraft carrier, was commissioned in Norfolk, Virginia. Later that year, it was reclassified as a seaplane tender and served in the North Atlantic until it was sunk by Japanese bombers in 1942.

4. September 25, 1867 saw the birth of Robert Peary in Cresson, Pennsylvania. Peary would go on to achieve international fame as an Arctic explorer, leading several expeditions to the North Pole in the early 20th century. He is sometimes credited with being the first person to reach the North Pole, although this claim has been disputed.

5. In more recent history, September 25, 1980 saw the premiere of the TV show "Cagney & Lacey," which was set in New York City but filmed in various locations around Maine. The show, which ran for seven seasons, starred Tyne Daly and Sharon Gless as two female police detectives who faced sexism and other challenges on the job. It was praised for its realistic portrayal of women in law enforcement and its willingness to tackle tough social issues.