1. The Charter Oak tree, symbol of Connecticut's statehood, was felled by a storm on March 4, 1856. The tree had famously sheltered the state's original Royal Charter in 1687, when Gov. Edmund Andros attempted to seize it.

2. In 1791, Eli Whitney received a patent for his revolutionary cotton gin, a machine which could quickly separate cotton fibers from their seeds. This invention helped spur the growth of the Southern cotton industry and had a profound impact on American history.

3. On March 4, 1918, the U.S. Navy commissioned the USS Connecticut, a battleship named in honor of the state. The vessel served in both World War I and II before being decommissioned in 1947.

4. Connecticut native Charles Goodyear received a patent for his process of vulcanizing rubber on March 4, 1836. This breakthrough allowed rubber to be made much more durable and flexible, leading to the creation of countless new products.

5. Yale University played host to an important speech by President John F. Kennedy on March 4, 1962. The president spoke about the need for the U.S. to stay strong in the face of Soviet aggression and discussed his plans for bolstering national defense.