1. In 1843, the Hartford Courant, one of the oldest continuously published newspapers in the United States, announced its plan to increase its daily publication from twice a week to daily.
2. In 1910, Connecticut became the third state in the United States to adopt an income tax. The tax rates ranged from 1% to 3%, depending on the amount of income earned.
3. The Connecticut River Flood of 1955 hit its peak on December 19, causing widespread damage and destruction throughout the state. The flood was caused by heavy rainfall and snowmelt and resulted in the deaths of 87 people.
4. On December 19, 1979, the Hartford Civic Center officially opened to the public. The arena, now known as the XL Center, has hosted a variety of events over the years, including concerts, sporting events, and political rallies.
5. In 2007, the Connecticut Supreme Court ruled in Kerrigan v. Commissioner of Public Health that same-sex couples have the right to marry in the state, making Connecticut the second state in the country to legalize same-sex marriage.