1. In 1827, Samuel F.B. Morse was born in Charlestown, Massachusetts. Morse is famous for inventing the Morse code and the single-wire telegraph system. He spent his later years in Maine and his estate, Locust Grove, can still be visited today.

2. The Maine State House officially opened in Augusta on March 26, 1832. The building has gone through several renovations and additions over the years, but it still serves as the state's central government building.

3. On March 26, 1867, the first issue of the Portland Daily Press was published. The newspaper ran for 125 years before ceasing publication in 1992.

4. In 1898, the USS Maine, a United States Navy battleship, was blown up in Havana Harbor. This event helped catalyze the start of the Spanish-American War. Maine's state motto, "Dirigo," which means "I lead" in Latin, is said to be a reference to the role Maine played in leading the charge for war.

5. On March 26, 1905, the Maine State College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts (now the University of Maine) began offering extension courses. The extension program allowed people who could not attend the campus to access college-level education in their local communities. Today, the University of Maine is the state's largest public university and offers a wide range of programs both on campus and online.