1. In 1606, King James I of England granted a charter for the Virginia Company of London, which was responsible for colonizing the eastern coast of North America. This charter would eventually lead to the settlement of Connecticut and other New England colonies.

2. In 1777, forces led by General William Tryon raided the town of Danbury and burned several buildings, including a Continental Army supply depot. This event is now known as the Battle of Ridgefield and is commemorated annually with a reenactment.

3. In 1837, the first ever telegraph message sent in Connecticut was transmitted from New Haven to Hartford. The message read, "A patient waiter is no loser."

4. In 1877, the first electric streetcar line opened in New Haven, paving the way for the spread of public transportation throughout the state.

5. In 1983, Connecticut became the first state in the United States to pass a law prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. The law was signed by Governor William A. O'Neill and was a significant milestone in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights.