NATIONAL MAINE DAY
On December 21st, National Maine Day recognizes the 23rd state to join the union and the most eastern one, too!
#NationalMaineDay
Populated by Wabanaki tribes when European explorers first arrived, Maine would later be colonized by French and English settlers, leaving Maine’s possession in constant debate. Fast forward to 1820; the state was carved out of Massachusetts as part of the Missouri Compromise.
Today, with her rocky shores and idyllic New England backdrop, Maine allows a moment to experience the light and sounds at a pace that’s more natural. Lobster, once so abundant it was served to prisoners and servants, is now a delicacy and just one of Maine’s many ocean delights.
Artists flourish in Maine. From fiction to landscapes, the state has inspired poets, writers, painters and more for centuries. From the Acadia to Kennebunk, from the highlands to the valleys, Maine is open all year round.
HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL MAINE DAY
Join National Day Calendar as we recognize Maine’s breathtaking views and explore her history. Uncover hidden treasures and explore Maine’s mountains and shores! Use #NationalMaineDay to share on social media.
In 2017, National Day Calendar began celebrating each state in the order they entered the union starting the week of Independence Day and ending with Hawaii. We highlight a small part of each states’ history, foods and the people who make up the state. There’s so much more to explore!
Notable People
Humanitarians and Leaders
A woman dedicated to a life of civic duty, Florence Brooks Whitehouse was also passionate about her family. Whether illness, the war-wounded or the suffrage movement called her, Whitehouse supplied steady, reliable support.
Throughout her career, Dorothea Dix advocated for improved conditions for the mentally ill and expanding public hospital care. She lobbied extensively for reform, taught and published several textbooks, fiction, and poetry.
Nelson Rockefeller served as the 41st Vice President during Gerald Ford’s administration.
Artists and Writers
As a journalist, Elijah Lovejoy died defending his right to print his views when a mob attacked his press in Alton, Missouri.
During his lifetime, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poetry drew worldwide acclaim. The prolific poet published several volumes of poetry including his extremely successful long poems, Evangeline: A Tale of Acadie, and The Song of Hiawatha.
Winslow Homer produced a legacy of watercolor and oil paintings that epitomized life along the Eastern Shore.
Known for her lyric poetry and dramas, Edna St. Vincent Millay found success and respect, earning a Pulitzer Prize in 1923.
Horror and suspense writer, Stephen King’s body of work continues to thrill and intrigue readers. Both fiction and non-fiction find their way onto movie scripts. The Stand, Pet Sematary, Stand By Me, the recent 11.22.63 and remake of IT all have King’s own unique style of eeriness that keep bringing his fans back for more.
Inventors, Builders and Athletes
Milton Bradley founded the Milton Bradley Company after the success of the board game The Checkered Game of Life. Believing in the education of children, the businessman also published and edited Paradise of Childhood along with several other pamphlets and guides for kindergarten.
Twin brothers, Francis Edgar Stanley and Freelan Oscar Stanley together produced the steam-driven automobile.
In 1898, they developed their first steam-powered engine. In 1902, they founded the Stanley Motor Carriage Company. Their motor car, the Stanley Steamer often beat larger, gasoline-powered engines in racing events across the country.
In 1984, the Summer Olympics introduced the women’s marathon. Joan Benoit took gold for the United States becoming the first gold medalist in the event.