On this date in Maine history: Jan. 9

On this date in Maine history: Jan. 8

On this date in Maine history: Jan. 7

Jan. 7, 1925: Ralph Owen Brewster, a Republican supported openly by the Ku Klux Klan, takes office as Maine’s governor. The election campaign put the division in Brewster’s party on full display. His predecessor, Gov. Percival Baxter, accused Brewster of being a sympathizer of the Klan, which had gained traction in Maine because of its […]

On this date in Maine history: Jan. 6

Jan. 6, 1854: Novelist Sarah “Sally” Sayward Barrell Wood, known colloquially as “Madame Wood,” Maine’s first novelist and the first female American writer of gothic fiction, dies at the age of 95. She published four novels and a collection of stories, all under pseudonyms – either “A Lady,” “A Lady of Massachusetts” (when Maine was […]

On this date in Maine history: Jan. 5

Jan. 5, 1786: A report issued by the second convention to discuss the possibility of Maine separating from Massachusetts, held the previous day, asserts that Boston merchants benefit unfairly at Maine’s expense because of trade regulations involving lumber. It also says Boston officials didn’t represent Maine interests well and Maine residents are at a disadvantage […]

On this date in Maine history: Jan. 4

Jan. 4, 1832: The Maine Legislature convenes in the newly completed Maine State House for the first time. The building, located on Weston’s Hill in Augusta, took three years to erect and is built of Hallowell granite. Despite its completion, Portland officials try for decades to convince the Legislature to move the state capital to […]

On this date in Maine history: Jan. 3

Jan. 3, 1787: A fourth convention about a proposal to separate Maine from Massachusetts is held. An “Address to the People” about Maine residents’ grievances had drawn a 645-349 vote in favor of separation, but the total vote count was a tiny minority of those citizens eligible to vote, and they came from only 32 […]

On this date in Maine history: Jan. 2

On this date in Maine history: Jan. 1

In 19th century, Maine’s statehood became inevitable

In this bicentennial year, a crowded schedule of events highlights history and identity as the state celebrates its 200th birthday.