1. On September 30, 1865, the University of Maine was established as the state's first public institution of higher education. Initially known as the Maine State College of Agriculture and the Mechanic Arts, the school has since grown into a comprehensive university offering over 100 majors across nine colleges.

2. In 1963, the Maine Turnpike, a 109-mile toll road stretching from Kittery to Augusta, officially opened to the public. The project had been in development for over a decade and was seen as a major milestone for transportation infrastructure in the state.

3. September 30, 1922 saw the birth of Maine-born author, Stephen King. The renowned writer has published over 60 novels and is known for his horror and suspense fiction, much of which is set in or inspired by Maine.

4. On this day in 1846, Elias Derby, a prominent businessman and philanthropist, died at the age of 91. Derby's legacy can still be seen throughout the state, including in the various institutions that he helped found.

5. In 1937, the SS City of Bangor, a passenger steamship operating between Boston and Maine, collided with another vessel and sank just off the coast of Massachusetts. While most of the passengers survived, the incident marked a tragic moment in Maine's maritime history.