1. On March 11, 1784, Connecticut ceded its western land claims to the United States government in exchange for financial compensation. This paved the way for the establishment of the Northwest Territory, which eventually became the states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, and part of Minnesota.

2. In 1845, the charter for the Connecticut River Railroad Company was approved on March 11. The railroad played an important role in the state's economy, transporting goods and passengers from the coast to inland towns and cities.

3. On March 11, 1936, Bridgeport native and inventor Clarence W. Spicer received a patent for his "universal joint" design, which allowed for the transmission of rotary motion between two shafts at an angle to each other. This invention became a crucial component in the automotive industry and is still used today.

4. In 1959, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame opened in Springfield, Massachusetts, just a short distance from the Connecticut border. Many Connecticut basketball players and coaches, including UConn's Geno Auriemma and Ray Allen, have been inducted into the Hall of Fame.

5. On March 11, 2011, Connecticut was one of many states affected by a massive earthquake and tsunami in Japan. The disaster caused widespread destruction and loss of life, and Connecticut residents and organizations raised funds and provided aid to support relief efforts.