1. In 1820, Maine was admitted as the 23rd state in the Union. March 29 marks the anniversary of this significant event in Maine's history.
2. In 1936, Maine's first state-operated liquor store opened in the city of Auburn. The store was part of a plan to regulate the sale and distribution of alcohol within the state.
3. The Lewiston-Auburn Shoe Strike began on March 29, 1937. The strike, organized by the Textile Workers Union of America, involved thousands of shoe workers in the Lewiston-Auburn area and lasted for several weeks before it was ultimately broken by the employers.
4. On March 29, 1957, the Portland Symphony Orchestra held its first performance. The symphony has since become a cultural institution in the state, and its performances are well-known throughout the region.
5. In 1979, the Maine state Legislature passed a law requiring all motorcycle riders to wear helmets while operating their vehicles. This law was controversial at the time, but has since been widely accepted as necessary for the safety of both riders and other drivers on the road.