The Lisbon Reporter

WELCOME TO THE LISBON REPORTER. In an effort to keep our community informed of what is going on at local and Federal levels of government, we decided to create this on-line newspaper. It is our hope that this on-line newspaper will help you stay informed so that you can get involved and take action for the benefit of our ENTIRE community. Thank you for visiting and please check back frequently for information about what is happening in LISBON/LISBON FALLS, MAINE USA

Monday, March 15, 2010

Do You Know What Happened 190 Years Ago Today?

Happy Birthday, Maine

By BDN Staff

Today, Maine marks its 190th anniversary as a state. If Rep. Henry Joy, R-Crystal, has his way, the state won’t reach its 200th — at least not in its current configuration. Rep. Joy wants to divide the state into Northern Massachusetts (the southern and coastal portions) and Maine (that would be the “real” Maine, north of Augusta). As ludicrous as that sounds, that way of thinking dates back centuries. And it continues to curse Maine as it struggles to become prosperous.

Before 1820, the District of Maine was part of Massachusetts. After the War of 1812, which devastated Maine more than any other part of New England (the British occupied the coast from Castine to Machias), residents concluded Massachusetts could not provide protection, and so they united in their desire for statehood. Maine became the 35th state on March 15, 1820, entering the Union as part of the Missouri Compromise, a complex deal that sought to balance slave and nonslave states.