Maine may be famous for its lobster, lighthouses, and blueberries, but did you know it’s also home to the U.S.’s first city? Or that Eastport is the first place in the U.S. to see the sun rise each morning? Here are 9 interesting facts you may not have known about Maine.
- The first sawmill in the U.S. was built in Maine in 1623.
Flickr/ InAweofGod’sCreation Source: 50states.com
- Machias was the site of the first naval battle of the Revolutionary War in 1775.
Flickr/ Alan Grinberg Source: 50states.com
- In 2012, Maine, Maryland, and Washington simultaneously became the first states to legalize same-sex marriage by popular vote.
Flickr/ Chris H Source: Wikipedia
- Eastport, Maine is the easternmost city in the entire country. That means it’s the first place to see the sun rise each morning!
Flickr/ Brian Johnson & Dane Kant Source: 50states.com
- Maine is home to Togus, the first Veteran hospital in the country. It was founded in 1866.
Wikipedia/ Public Events Source: Wikipedia
- In 2015, Maine became the first state to offer scholarships to middleschoolers to join a virtual international space station through the Space Station Academy. Through the program, they get to be part of simulated space missions. How cool!
Flickr/ NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center Source: msgc.org
- Maine was the first state to make it legal for individuals to import prescription drugs. The bill passed in 2013, and has allowed residents to save up to 90% on the cost of medicine.
Flickr/ jumpfliphop Source: pharmacychecker.com
- In 1607, the first ship ever built by English colonists in the U.S. was built along the Kennebec River in what is now Phippsburg.
Flickr/ Eric Behrens Source: Wikipedia
- York became the first chartered city in the U.S. in 1641. In 1642, it became the country’s first incorporated city. Wow!
Wikipedia/ Public Domain Source: Wikipedia
What else was Maine the first state to do? Let us know in the comments below.
Flickr/ InAweofGod’sCreation
Source: 50states.com
Flickr/ Alan Grinberg
Flickr/ Chris H
Source: Wikipedia
Flickr/ Brian Johnson & Dane Kant
Wikipedia/ Public Events
Flickr/ NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center
Source: msgc.org
Flickr/ jumpfliphop
Source: pharmacychecker.com
Flickr/ Eric Behrens
Wikipedia/ Public Domain
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