1. On April 26, 1783, the Connecticut house of representatives voted in favor of granting Yale College the power to award degrees. This marked a turning point in the history of higher education in Connecticut, as Yale went on to become one of the most prestigious universities in the world.

2. April 26, 1877, witnessed the birth of renowned American composer Henry Kimball Hadley in Somerville, Connecticut. Hadley went on to become one of the most prominent figures in American classical music, composing over 100 works, including symphonies, operas, and concertos.

3. On April 26, 1937, the London-based Hindenburg airship exploded and crashed in flames while attempting to dock at the Lakehurst Naval Air Station in New Jersey. Although Connecticut wasn't directly involved in the incident, it played a role in the ensuing investigation, with several scientists and engineers from the state contributing to the official inquiry into the causes of the disaster.

4. April 26, 1973, marked the opening of the Carousel Mall in Bridgeport, Connecticut. At the time, it was the largest mall in the state, with over 100 stores across two levels. The mall remained a fixture of the Bridgeport community for over three decades until it closed in 2008.

5. Finally, on April 26, 2002, Connecticut became the first state in the United States to pass a law mandating that insurance companies cover the cost of certain types of mental health treatment. The law, known as "Maggie's Law" in honor of Maggie Wagg, a young woman who died by suicide, was a landmark victory for mental health advocacy in the state, and helped pave the way for similar legislation in other parts of the country.