1. The Great Fire of 1879: On September 3, 1879, a devastating fire broke out in the city of Portland, Maine. The fire destroyed over 1,800 buildings and left thousands homeless. It was one of the largest urban fires in American history, and it brought about significant changes in building codes and firefighting practices.

2. Maine's Statehood: On September 3, 1820, Maine became the 23rd state in the United States. This happened as a result of the Missouri Compromise, which allowed Maine to enter the Union as a free state, while Missouri entered as a slave state.

3. The SS Portland Shipwreck: On September 3, 1898, the SS Portland, a steamship traveling from Boston to Portland, Maine, sank in a severe storm off the coast of Massachusetts. All 191 passengers and crew members on board perished in the tragedy, making it one of the deadliest maritime disasters in New England's history.

4. The Founding of Bowdoin College: On September 3, 1794, Bowdoin College was founded in Brunswick, Maine. The college was named after James Bowdoin II, a wealthy merchant and politician who had played a significant role in the American Revolution.

5. The Opening of the Maine State Fair: On September 3, 1915, the first Maine State Fair was opened in Lewiston, Maine. The fair was created to showcase Maine's agriculture and industry, and it has since become a beloved annual tradition for Mainers and visitors alike.