1. In 1781, the Battle of Groton Heights took place during the Revolutionary War. British troops, led by Benedict Arnold, raided and burned the town of New London, including Fort Griswold in Groton. The battle resulted in the deaths of over 80 Americans and is remembered as a significant event in Connecticut's history.

2. On September 4, 1830, the Hartford and New Haven Railroad was chartered. The first passenger train traveled between the two cities in 1839, and the railroad became an important part of Connecticut's transportation infrastructure.

3. In 1891, the first electric trolley car ran in Connecticut, running between Bridgeport and Stratford. The trolley system would eventually expand throughout the state, providing a more efficient mode of transportation for residents.

4. On September 4, 1944, the US Navy submarine USS Torsk sank the German submarine U-805 off the coast of Connecticut. This was one of several successful attacks by American forces against German submarines in the Atlantic during World War II.

5. In 1957, the University of Connecticut became a fully accredited university. The school had been founded in 1881 as a school for teachers, but over the years had expanded to include a range of academic programs. Today, the University of Connecticut is a major research institution with campuses across the state.