Sept. 3, 1853: The Harnden & Brother spool factory on the Kennebec River in Augusta catches fire about 2 a.m. The fire eventually consumes a grist mill, machine shops, six sawmills, a boardinghouse and other commercial enterprises. Before the fire spreads beyond the three-story, 160-by-60-foot spool mill, a night watchman and other people try to […]

Sept. 2, 1816: In a second referendum on Maine’s proposed separation from Massachusetts to become a new state, the pro-separation side wins again, with 54 percent of the vote. While the margin of victory is smaller than the 62 percent win on May 20, the rate of voter participation is much greater, giving the result […]

Sept. 1, 1814: A British force occupies Castine during the War of 1812. The town becomes part of the short-lived second incarnation of the British crown colony of New Ireland. When the British leave the following April, they take with them 10,750 pounds collected as tariff duties during their occupation. That money is used to […]

Aug. 29, 1786: Protesters in Northampton, Massachusetts, angry about tax collections and property confiscations by the government, prevent the court there from holding a session. The protest grows into what becomes known as Shays’ Rebellion, named for Daniel Shays, a Revolutionary War veteran who participated in it. That and other protest actions severely dampen enthusiasm […]

Aug. 28, 2006: The Chewonki Foundation, a Wiscasset organization, unveils what it bills as the first hydrogen fuel cell of its kind in Maine. The new system is installed to provide backup power and heat in the foundation’s education center building. It took three years for the foundation to complete the $250,000 project in cooperation […]