1. In 1788, Connecticut was the fifth state to ratify the United States Constitution, officially making it a part of the union. This event set the precedent for the other states to follow suit and helped solidify the foundations of American democracy.

2. On January 2, 1957, the first commercial nuclear power plant in the United States began operating in Hartford, Connecticut. Known as the "Atoms for Peace" program, this innovation helped spawn the modern nuclear power industry.

3. In 1863, Connecticut became the first state to pass a law regulating the sale and consumption of liquor. This critical legislation paved the way for the Temperance movement, which ultimately led to the passage of the 18th Amendment and Prohibition.

4. January 2, 1974, marked the opening of the Connecticut Science Center in Hartford. The center quickly became a hub for scientific discovery and education, drawing visitors from across the state and beyond.

5. In 1987, Connecticut Governor William A. O'Neill declared January 2 to be "Mary Edna Fraser Day" in honor of her contributions to the field of art and education. Fraser was a celebrated artist who produced a series of aerial landscape paintings that helped raise awareness about the beauty and fragility of the earth's ecosystems.