Today In History
5 Fun Facts About May 12 In Connecticut History
1. In 1854, the first state Normal School in the United States was established in New Britain, Connecticut. This school trained teachers and eventually became Central Connecticut State University. 2. In 1875, the Hartford Dark Blues were established as a professional baseball team. They were one of the charter members...
5 Fun Facts About May 11 In Connecticut History
1. The Connecticut State Library was founded on May 11, 1854. It was initially located in the State Capitol Building and later moved to its current location in Hartford. 2. On May 11, 1977, Yale University announced that it would admit women to its undergraduate program for the first time...
5 Fun Facts About May 9 In Connecticut History
1. On May 9, 1755, the first fully ordained Baptist minister in the United States, Isaac Backus, was born in Connecticut. Backus was a champion of religious freedom and played a key role in the separation of church and state. 2. In 1765, the town of Greenwich, Connecticut was officially...
5 Fun Facts About May 7 In Connecticut History
1. In 1660, the Connecticut General Assembly passed a law prohibiting the sale of alcohol to Native Americans. 2. In 1765, Yale University held its first commencement ceremony in New Haven, Connecticut. 3. In 1839, the first horse-drawn passenger railway in the United States began service between New Haven and...
5 Fun Facts About May 6 In Connecticut History
1. In 1790, Connecticut became the fifth state to ratify the United States Constitution, joining Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Georgia in the newly-formed union. 2. In 1851, the first edition of the New Haven Journal-Courier newspaper was published, serving as a major source of news and information for the...
5 Fun Facts About May 4 In Connecticut History
1. In 1934, the West Hartford Reservoir was dedicated and opened to the public on May 4. The reservoir covers over 3,000 acres and provides drinking water to the Hartford area. 2. On May 4, 1991, the state of Connecticut designated the American Robin as the official state bird. The...
5 Fun Facts About May 3 In Connecticut History
1. In 1971, the Connecticut General Assembly voted to abolish the death penalty. Connecticut was the first state to do so after a four-year legislative battle. 2. In 1913, a fire broke out at the Bijou Theater in New Haven, killing six people and injuring dozens more. The incident sparked...
5 Fun Facts About May 2 In Connecticut History
1. In 1674, the first municipal court in Connecticut was established in New Haven. This court instituted a system of local governance that continues to this day. 2. On May 2, 1861, the Connecticut State Guard was officially established by order of Governor William A. Buckingham. This state militia served...
5 Fun Facts About April 30 In Connecticut History
1. In 1803, one of Connecticut's most famous residents, Samuel Colt, was born on April 30 in Hartford. He later revolutionized the firearms industry with his invention of the revolver. 2. On April 30, 1812, the first steamboat to navigate the Housatonic River, the "Housatonic," made its maiden voyage. This...
5 Fun Facts About April 27 In Connecticut History
1. On April 27, 1791, the town of Bristol was established. It was named after Bristol Borough in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, which had been the hometown of many of its original settlers. 2. In 1861, on April 27, the Connecticut State Legislature voted to authorize the formation of the First...
5 Fun Facts About April 25 In Connecticut History
1. In 1637, English settlers and supporters of the Pequot War attacked the Pequot tribe's largest village, killing over 500 men, women, and children in what is known as the Mystic massacre. 2. In 1781, the British raid on Danbury occurred on April 25th during the American Revolution. British troops...
5 Fun Facts About April 23 In Connecticut History
1. On April 23, 1637, the Pequot War began in Connecticut. This conflict between English colonists and the Pequot tribe lasted over a year and resulted in the near-annihilation of the Pequot people. 2. On April 23, 1789, the first U.S. President, George Washington, visited Connecticut during his inaugural tour...