May 16, 1868: In the last of three U.S. Senate votes on whether to convict President Andrew Johnson after the U.S. House impeached him in connection with his attempt to fire U.S. Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton, U.S. Sen. William Pitt Fessenden (1806-1869), a Republican from Portland, and six other Republicans break ranks with […]
Bicentennial
News and information about Maine’s 2020 bicentennial from the Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel.
Posted inBicentennial, Local & State, News
On this date in Maine history: May 15, narrated by Elizabeth Peavey
May 15, 1933: Eight days after a massive fire destroyed about 130 buildings in Ellsworth, another fire starts in the early afternoon in Pontbriand’s Garage on Mill Street in Auburn’s New Auburn district. The southwesterly wind drives the fire in three directions. “A triangular space containing nearly 20 buildings was a roaring furnace almost before […]
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Posted inBicentennial, Local & State
On this date in Maine history: May 14, narrated by Paul Janus
May 14, 2006: Gov. John Baldacci declares a state of emergency for York County in the midst of a three-day deluge that drops more than 15 inches of rain and turns streets into rivers. Across New England, rising water floods homes, forces dozens of schools to close because the buses can’t use the roads, and […]
Posted inBicentennial, Local & State, News
On this date in Maine history: May 13
May 13, 1803: U.S. Navy Capt. Edward Preble (1761-1807), a Portland native, recommissions the USS Constitution – “Old Ironsides” – as his flagship during the First Barbary War. Given a promotion to commodore, Preble sets sail Aug. 14 on the Constitution, heading for the Mediterranean Sea. The painting “Bombardment of Tripoli,” by Michele Felice Corné, […]
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On this date in Maine history: May 12
May 12, 1999: Linda Greenlaw’s book “The Hungry Ocean,” the first of many books by the swordfishing boat captain, is published. It remains on The New York Times bestseller list for three months. The book recounts the day-to-day perils and personality clashes that emerge during a monthlong swordfishing voyage. It describes racial prejudice, drug use, […]
Posted inBicentennial, Local & State, News, Uncategorized
On this date in Maine history: May 11
May 11, 1966: The Maine Legislature passes the Allagash Wilderness Waterway statute, providing protection for northern Maine’s Allagash River, contingent on passage of a bond issue intended to supply funding for the protection. Maine voters approve the bond on Nov. 8. In 1970, the U.S. Department of the Interior designates the 92-mile, northward-flowing waterway as […]
Posted inBicentennial, Local & State
On this date in Maine history: May 10, narrated by Linda and Jim Simones
May 10, 1797: Maine residents vote 2,785 to 2,412 in a referendum in favor of separation from Massachusetts. The Massachusetts General Court ignores the results, probably because of the extremely low voter turnout. Several other referendums, setbacks, delays and even an intervening war will take place before Maine statehood is achieved in 1820. May 10, […]
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On this date in Maine history: May 9, narrated by Emma Tiedemann
May 9, 1775: With the onset of the Revolutionary War, Brunswick militiamen sneak into Falmouth (now Portland) and capture British Navy Lt. Henry Mowatt, captain of the 16-gun sloop-of-war HMS Canceaux, while he was on land. In an incident that becomes known as Thompson’s War, the Canceaux’s crew threatens to shell the city unless Mowatt […]
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On this date in Maine history: May 8, narrated by Tom Caron
May 8, 1980: U.S. Sen. Edmund Muskie (1914-1996), a Democrat from Maine, becomes U.S. secretary of state under President Jimmy Carter. He serves until Jan. 18, 1981, two days before the end of Carter’s presidential term. Under Muskie, the State Department holds its first high-level talks with the Soviet Union, trying in vain to convince […]
Posted inBicentennial, Local & State, News
On this date in Maine history: May 7, narrated by Suzanne Norgang
May 7, 1792: After a proposal to separate the District of Maine from Massachusetts is revived, the first districtwide vote on the issue is held. The “no” side prevails, 2,524-2,074. Proponents of separation are encouraged – they would have won if not for strong opposition in only six of the 89 towns that provided referendum […]