The United States’ Fort Sumpter in South Carolina fell to the Confederates on April 13, 1861, effectively initiating the Civil War. Four days later Confederate President Jefferson Davis authorized private vessels to capture or destroy Union commercial sailing vessels. This decision had a severe impact on Maine’s seafaring fleet and the coastal economy. During the…
Assertive and Independent: Maine Women in the World by Polly Welts Kaufman From a presentation at the June 6, 2008 Norlands Conference. Maine women in every imaginable field have left the state taking their independent spirits, imagination, talents, and education to make their marks on the world. Others remained, breaking new ground in many areas.…
in York County serves as the gateway to Maine from points south with its old and more modern bridges spanning the Piscataqua River. See video & photos. The federal government established the Navy Yard in 1806. The 74-gun ship Washington was the first vessel built there in 1815. The town’s long history is partially illustrated by the substantial list of historic sites.
Geology in Maine is heavily influenced by collisions with the Earth’s plates and by the impact of glaciers. BEDROCK GEOLOGY The geologic history recorded in Maine’s bedrock covers close to 1.5 billion years – approximately one-third of the total age of the Earth. Over this period a variety of geologic processes – sedimentation, deformation (folding…
“It happened so unexpectedly, so abruptly, that she forgot to scream. . . . Breathless, spellbound, she moved on tiptoe to the porch, one hand pressed trembling across her lips. The field of oats shimmered a moment before her eyes, then a blue mass swung into it and it melted away, sheered to the earth…
October 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 1775 Benedict Arnold expedition arrives at Norridgewock Falls 1897 Neal Dow, crusading prohibitionist, Mayor of Portland, member of the Maine House of Representatives,…
September 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 1815 The “September Gale” of 1815 felled trees in Wells after it had wreaked havoc elsewhere in New England. 1898 Shipwreck of the steamer…
September 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 1889 First publication of the newspaper the Philatelic Era in Portland published by Pickard & Eustis. 1903 Fourteen men lose their lives near Pemaquid…
September 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 1828 Birth date in Brewer of Joshua L. Chamberlain, Civil War General, Governor (1867-1871), and President of Bowdoin College. 1869 A violent gale drives…
August 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 1787 A meteor, about the size of “a nine pound cannon ball,” is seen at York, Portland, New Gloucester, and elsewhere in New…
August 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 1807 Edward Preble, who has been called the “Father of the American Navy,” and commanded U.S. naval forces during the Tripolitan War, dies…
August 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 1761 Birth date in Portland of Edward Preble, who has been called the “Father of the American Navy,” commanded U.S. naval forces during…
August 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 1898 The fourth documented Maine meteorite lands at Andover. 1900 Bishop of Portland James Augustine Healy, America’s first Black Bishop, dies. 1970 The…
August 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 1801 Samuel P. Morrill, a member of Congress born in Chesterville, dies in his hometown 1861 Stockton-built vessel Windward and Searsport-built Itaska are…
July 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 1911 Shipwreck of the two masted schooner Tay from St. Johns, New Brunswick off Bar Harbor.
July 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 1783 Massachusetts Supreme Court declares slavery unconstitutional in the case of Commonwealth v. Jennison, thus applying the ban to Maine. 1863 Milbridge-built vessel…
June 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 1762 Incorporation of the town of Windham 1775 The British ship Margaretta was captured by Maine citizens in Machias, preventing the British from getting…
June 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 1813 Incorporation of the town of Freedom 1900 Bangor Carpenters and Joiners Union is organized 1903 Shipwreck in thick fog and rain of the…
June 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 “The 2nd Sunday in June shall be designated Seamen’s Memorial Day and the Governor shall annually issue a proclamation inviting and urging the people…
February 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 1788 U. S. Constitution ratified by Massachusetts (with the District of Maine) 1812 Incorporation of the town of Bingham 1822 Incorporation…