1. On September 28, 1789, Maine became a state of the United States after being a part of Massachusetts for 78 years. It was the 23rd state to be admitted to the union.

2. In 1895, the iconic Portland Observatory was opened to the public on September 28. It is an 86-foot tower that was used to signal ships entering Portland Harbor.

3. On September 28, 1925, Augusta High School was destroyed in a fire that left over 370 students without a school. The school was eventually rebuilt and renamed Cony High School.

4. In 1972, the Penobscot Narrows Bridge was officially opened to traffic on September 28. It spans the Penobscot River and connects Prospect and Verona Island.

5. On September 28, 2003, Maine's Great Sailors Route was formally dedicated. It is a 1,040-mile long route that follows the coast of Maine and highlights the state's rich maritime history.