History of Connecticut in Timeline

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Connecticut

Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the Northeastern United States, bordering Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and New York. Hartford is its capital, while Bridgeport is its most populous city. Situated along the Northeast Corridor between New York City and Boston, Connecticut is the third-smallest state by area but ranks fourth in population density with over 3.6 million residents as of 2024.

1912: New Haven Railroad Operations

By 1912, the New Haven Railroad operated over 2,000 miles of track and employed 120,000 people in southern New England.

1914: Connecticut becomes Major supplier of weaponry

In 1914, with the breakout of World War I, Connecticut became a major supplier of weaponry to the U.S. military.

June 21, 1916: Groton becomes submarine base

On June 21, 1916, the U.S. Navy designated Groton as the site for its East Coast submarine base and school.

1917: Connecticut supports war effort

In 1917, Connecticut showed enthusiastic support for the American war effort through war bond purchases, industrial expansion, and increased food production.

1918: Connecticut Industries produce for war effort

By 1918, 80% of Connecticut's industries were producing goods for the World War I war effort, including small-arms cartridges produced by Remington Arms.

1918: Native-born Americans

In 1918, native-born Americans had accounted for 35% of the state's population.

1918: Mobilization for the war effort

In 1918, thousands of state, local, and volunteer groups mobilized for the war effort in Connecticut, coordinated by the Connecticut State Council of Defense.

1919: Connecticut Light & Power Co. started

In 1919, J. Henry Roraback started the Connecticut Light & Power Co., which later became the state's dominant electric utility.

1925: Pratt & Whitney creation

In 1925, Frederick Rentschler spurred the creation of Pratt & Whitney in Hartford to develop engines for aircraft.

1926: Hartford Blues in the NFL

In 1926, Hartford had a franchise in the National Football League known as the Hartford Blues.

September 21, 1938: New England hurricane strikes Connecticut

On September 21, 1938, the most destructive storm in New England history, the "Long Island Express", struck eastern Connecticut, causing widespread damage and killing hundreds.

1938: 1938 New England hurricane

The 1938 New England hurricane impacted Connecticut.

May 13, 1940: Sikorsky's first helicopter flight

On May 13, 1940, Igor Sikorsky made the first untethered flight of the first practical helicopter.

1940: Dominant racial and ethnic group

In 1940, Non-Hispanic whites were 98% of the population in Connecticut.

February 16, 1943: Record low temperature observed in Falls Village

On February 16, 1943, the lowest temperature recorded in Connecticut was observed in Falls Village, which was −32 °F (−36 °C).

1952: Prescott Bush in US Senate

In 1952, Prescott Bush began representing Connecticut in the U.S. Senate.

1952: Inauguration of PGA Tour Golf Tournament

Since 1952, a PGA Tour golf tournament has been played in the Hartford area, originally called the "Insurance City Open".

1954: Hurricane Carol impacts Connecticut

In 1954, Hurricane Carol impacted Connecticut.

1959: Adoption of "The Constitution State" Nickname

In 1959, Connecticut's official nickname, "The Constitution State", was adopted.

1960: Elimination of County Governments

In 1960, Connecticut county governments were mostly eliminated, with the exception of sheriffs elected in each county.

January 22, 1961: Record low temperature observed in Coventry

On January 22, 1961, the lowest temperature recorded in Connecticut was observed in Coventry, which was −32 °F (−36 °C).

1963: End of Prescott Bush's Senate term

In 1963, Prescott Bush's term in the U.S. Senate came to an end.

1965: Implementation of the Current State Constitution

In 1965, Connecticut implemented its current state constitution, absorbing the majority of its 1818 predecessor while incorporating some important modifications.

1965: Connecticut ratifies new constitution

In 1965, Connecticut ratified its current constitution, replacing the document that had been in use since 1818.

1968: Connecticut Yankee Nuclear Power Plant Begins Operation

In 1968, commercial operation began for the Connecticut Yankee Nuclear Power Plant in Haddam.

1970: Millstone Nuclear Power Station Operations Begin

In 1970, the Millstone Nuclear Power Station began operations in Waterford.

1973: Southern New England Ice Storm

In 1973, the Southern New England Ice Storm happened.

1974: Ella Grasso Elected as Governor

In 1974, Ella Grasso was elected as the governor of Connecticut. This marked the first instance in United States history where a woman served as governor without her husband having held the position previously.

1975: Hartford Whalers Arrive in Hartford

In 1975, the Hartford Whalers of the National Hockey League began playing in Hartford at the Hartford Civic Center.

1982: Unemployment Rate

Connecticut recorded its lowest unemployment since 1982 in 2000 between August and October, at 2.2%.

1988: Toll removal

In 1988, Connecticut removed tolls from I-95 and Route 15 due to a series of major crashes at toll plazas.

1988: Last Republican Presidential Victory

In 1988, George H. W. Bush was the last Republican presidential candidate to win Connecticut's votes in the Electoral College.

1990: Lowell Weicker elected governor

In 1990, Lowell Weicker was elected as governor of Connecticut due to the state's dependence on the defense industry and budget crisis.

1990: Shore Line East Commuter Line

Since 1990, coastal cities and towns between New Haven and New London are also served by the Shore Line East commuter line.

1991: Investment-only income tax system

Before 1991, Connecticut had an investment-only income tax system, where income from investments was taxed at 13%, while income from employment was untaxed.

1991: Tax system change

In 1991, under Governor Lowell P. Weicker Jr., Connecticut's tax system was changed to equalize taxes on employment and investment income at a maximum rate of 4%.

1992: Foxwoods Casino completed

In 1992, initial construction was completed on Foxwoods Casino, becoming the largest casino in the Western Hemisphere.

1993: "Connecticuter" Defined

According to Webster's New International Dictionary in 1993, a person who is a native or resident of Connecticut is a "Connecticuter".

July 15, 1995: Record high temperature in Connecticut

On July 15, 1995, Connecticut's record high temperature of 106 °F (41 °C) was recorded in Danbury.

1997: Hartford Whalers Relocation

In 1997, the Hartford Whalers of the National Hockey League relocated to Raleigh, North Carolina, and became known as the Carolina Hurricanes.

2000: Language spoken at home

As of 2000, 81.69% of Connecticut residents age 5 and older spoke English at home.

2000: Lowest Unemployment Rate

Connecticut recorded its lowest unemployment in 2000 between August and October, at 2.2%.

2000: Al Gore chooses Joe Lieberman as running mate

In 2000, Al Gore selected Senator Joe Lieberman as his running mate for the presidential election.

2000: Jewish congregations

In 2000, Jewish congregations had 108,280 (3.2%) members in Connecticut.

2000: Hartford FoxForce Founded

In 2000, the city of Hartford became home to the Hartford FoxForce of World TeamTennis.

2000: Abolishment of County Sheriffs

In 2000, the county sheriff position in Connecticut was abolished and replaced with the state marshal system, which has districts that follow the old county territories.

2000: Rural population

In the 2000 census, only 12.3% of Connecticut's population was considered rural.

September 11, 2001: Connecticut residents killed in 9/11 attacks

On September 11, 2001, 65 Connecticut residents, mostly from Fairfield County, were killed in the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center.

2001: Sales tax "holiday"

In 2001, Connecticut instituted an annual sales tax "holiday" each August for one week, during which retailers did not have to remit sales tax on certain items and quantities of clothing.

2002: UConn Huskies Football Team in FBS

The UConn Huskies football team has played in the Football Bowl Subdivision since 2002.

2004: Foreign-born population

As of 2004, 11.4% of Connecticut's population (400,000) was foreign-born.

2004: Governor John G. Rowland resigns

In 2004, Republican Governor John G. Rowland resigned during a corruption investigation.

2004: UConn National Basketball Championship Wins

In 2004, the University of Connecticut (UConn) became the first school in NCAA Division I history to have both its men's and women's basketball programs win the national title in the same year.

2006: Bicycle ownership and use

According to the U.S. Census 2006 American Community Survey, New Haven has the highest percentage of commuters who bicycle to work of any major metropolitan center on the East Coast.

2006: Hartford FoxForce Dissolution

In 2006, the city of Hartford's World TeamTennis team Hartford FoxForce, dissolved.

July 2009: Passage of SustiNet

In July 2009, the Connecticut legislature overrode a veto by Governor M. Jodi Rell to pass SustiNet, the first significant public-option health care reform legislation in the nation.

December 2010: Highest Unemployment Rate

The highest unemployment rate between 1982 and December 2019 occurred in November and December 2010 at 9.3%.

2010: 2010 United States census

Based on census records, between 2010 and 2020 Connecticut's population increased by 31,847 people (0.9%).

2010: Christian Denominations

In 2010, the largest Christian denominations in Connecticut were the Catholic Church with 1,252,936 adherents, the United Church of Christ with 96,506, and non-denominational Evangelical Protestants with 72,863.

2010: Largest ancestry groups

Since 2010, the largest ancestry groups in Connecticut were Italian (19.3%), Irish (17.9%), and English (10.7%).

April 2011: Marlin closure

In April 2011, Marlin, owned by Remington, closed its manufacturing plant in Connecticut.

July 1, 2011: Repeal of clothing sales tax exemption

As of July 1, 2011, a provision excluding clothing under $50 from sales tax in Connecticut was repealed.

2011: Minorities Under Age 1

As of 2011, 46.1% of Connecticut's population younger than age 1 were minorities.

2011: Hurricane Irene strikes Connecticut

In 2011, Hurricane Irene struck Connecticut on August 28, causing $235 million in damage.

April 2012: Abolition of Capital Punishment

In April 2012, both houses of the Connecticut state legislature passed a bill that abolished capital punishment for all future crimes, though 11 inmates on death row at the time could still be executed.

December 14, 2012: Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting

On December 14, 2012, Adam Lanza killed 26 people at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT, before killing himself.

December 2012: Gun manufacturing firms

As of December 2012, four gun-manufacturing firms operated in Connecticut, employing 2,000 people: Colt, Stag, Ruger, and Mossberg.

2012: State and Local Taxes

As of 2012, Connecticut residents had the second-highest rate in the nation of combined state and local taxes after New York, at 12.6% of income compared to the national average of 9.9%, as reported by the Tax Foundation.

2012: Major storms hit Connecticut

In 2012, Connecticut was hit by multiple major storms, including a "Halloween nor'easter" and Hurricane Sandy, causing extensive damage and power outages.

2012: Hurricane Sandy impacts Connecticut

In 2012, Hurricane Sandy impacted Connecticut.

2014: Religious Self-Identification

In 2014 Pew survey, the residents of Connecticut self-identified as Protestant 35%, Roman Catholic 33%, non-religious 28%, Jewish 3%, and other affiliations.

2014: UConn Basketball Championship Repeat

In 2014, UConn repeated the feat of 2004 and are still the only Division I school to win both men's and women's basketball titles in the same year.

2014: 2014 Pew survey contrast to 2020 PRRI survey

In contrast to the 2014 Pew survey, the 2020 PRRI survey found Connecticut to be 40% Protestant and 28% Catholic (with the remainder of Christians being Mormon at 2%, and Orthodox at 1%).

March 28, 2015: CTfastrak Opening

On March 28, 2015, Connecticut Transit opened CTfastrak, a bus rapid transit service operating between New Britain and Hartford.

2015: COGs Recognized as County Equivalents

By 2015, the State of Connecticut recognized Councils of Governments (COGs) as county equivalents, allowing them to apply for funding and grants made available to county governments in other states.

November 15, 2016: Drought in Connecticut

As of November 15, 2016, 45% of Connecticut was in Severe Drought, impacting the agricultural economy.

2017: Property taxes

According to the Tax Foundation, in the 2017 fiscal year, Connecticut residents paid the 3rd highest average property taxes per capita in the nation, following New Hampshire and New Jersey.

2017: Agricultural production

In 2017, Connecticut's agricultural production totaled $580 million, with nursery stock production accounting for just over half of that revenue. Milk production totaled $81 million that year.

2017: End of UConn Women's Basketball Winning Streak

In 2017, the UConn women's basketball team's record for the longest consecutive winning streak in NCAA college basketball ended at 111 games.

2017: Tourism spending

In 2017, tourists spent $9.3 billion in Connecticut. Foxwoods Resort Casino and Mohegan Sun are the two biggest tourist draws.

June 2018: Hartford Line Commuter Rail Service

In June 2018, the Hartford Line, a commuter rail service, began operating between New Haven and Springfield on Amtrak's New Haven-Springfield Line.

2018: Educational Performance Ranking

According to Education Week's Quality Counts 2018 report, Connecticut ranked third in the nation for educational performance, earning an overall score of 83.5 out of 100 points.

2018: Millionaires per capita

According to a 2018 study by Phoenix Marketing International, Connecticut had the third-largest number of millionaires per capita in the United States, with a ratio of 7.75%.

2018: Largest industry in Connecticut

In 2018, Finance, insurance and real estate was Connecticut's largest industry as ranked by gross domestic product, generating $75.7 billion in GDP that year.

2018: Third biggest industry

In 2018, manufacturing was the third biggest industry in Connecticut with GDP of $30.8 billion.

2018: Other components of the Connecticut economy

In 2018, other large components of the Connecticut economy included wholesale trade ($18.1 billion in GDP), information services ($13.8 billion), retail ($13.7 billion), arts, entertainment, and food services ($9.1 billion), and construction ($8.3 billion).

2018: Second Highest GDP Sector

In 2018, the broad business and professional services sector had the second-highest GDP total in Connecticut, estimated at $33.7 billion.

2018: Top countries of origin for Connecticut's immigrants

In 2018, the top countries of origin for Connecticut's immigrants were India, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, Poland and Ecuador.

2018: Sales of single-family homes decline

In 2019, sales of single-family homes in Connecticut totaled 33,146 units, a 2.1 percent decline from the 2018 transaction total.

July 2019: Valley Flyer Launch

In July 2019, Amtrak launched the Valley Flyer, which runs between New Haven and Greenfield, Massachusetts.

December 2019: Unemployment Rate

As of December 2019, Connecticut's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.8%, compared to the U.S. unemployment rate of 3.5% that month.

2019: Income tax rates

As of 2019, Connecticut's income tax rates were divided into seven brackets, ranging from 3% to 6.99%, depending on income levels.

2019: Hedge fund headquarters

As of 2019, Fairfield County was home to the headquarters for 16 of the 200 largest hedge funds in the world due to the new tax policy implemented in 1991.

2019: Largest industry by employment

At the end of 2019, the combined educational, health, and social services sector was the largest single industry as ranked by employment, employing 342,600 people. It ranked fourth the year before in GDP.

2019: Home foreclosure activity

In 2019, Connecticut had the seventh-highest rate of home foreclosure activity in the country at 0.53 percent of the total housing stock.

2019: Hartford Athletic Inaugural Season

In 2019, Hartford Athletic began play in the USL Championship soccer league.

2019: Energy consumption and sources

In 2019, nuclear power delivered over 40% of Connecticut's electricity generation. Refuse-derived fuels and other biomass provided the largest share of renewable electricity at about a 3% share. More than three-quarters of solar generation came from distributed small-scale installations such as rooftop solar.

2019: Sales of single-family homes

In 2019, sales of single-family homes in Connecticut totaled 33,146 units, a 2.1 percent decline from 2018. The median home sold in 2019 recorded a transaction amount of $260,000.

2019: State Recommendation to Replace Counties with COGs

In 2019, the state recommended to the United States Census Bureau that the nine Councils of Governments replace its counties for statistical purposes.

January 1, 2020: Gasoline taxes and fees

As of January 1, 2020, gasoline taxes and fees in Connecticut were 40.13 cents per gallon, which was the 11th highest in the United States.

January 2020: Diesel taxes and fees

As of January 2020, diesel taxes and fees in Connecticut were 46.50 cents per gallon, the ninth-highest nationally.

March 2020: Raytheon Technologies merger

Raytheon Technologies was formed in March 2020 through the merger of United Technologies and Raytheon Co.

2020: Public Religion Research Institute survey

According to a 2020 Public Religion Research Institute survey, 71% of Connecticut's population identified as some form of Christian. The survey found the state to be 21% non-religious, 19% white mainline Protestant, 19% white Catholic, 9% white evangelical Protestant, 7% black Protestant, and 7% Hispanic Catholic. Jewish citizens represented 2% of the population, while Hindus, Buddhists, and Muslims each accounted for 1%.

2020: Gini coefficient

As of 2020, Connecticut's Gini coefficient was 0.50, tied with California and Massachusetts for the second highest (after New York). Hartford is the poorest municipality in Connecticut, with a per capita income of $16,798 in 2020.

2020: Ned Lamont and Susan Bysiewicz in Office

As of 2020, Ned Lamont holds the position of Governor and Susan Bysiewicz is the Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut; both are members of the Democratic party.

2020: Richard A. Robinson, Chief Justice

As of 2020, Richard A. Robinson is the Chief Justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court.

2020: 2020 United States census

As of the 2020 United States census, Connecticut has a population of 3,605,944.

2020: Dominant racial and ethnic group

As of the 2020 census, Non-Hispanic whites have declined to 63% of the population in Connecticut.

2020: Hurricane Isaias impacts Connecticut

In 2020, Hurricane Isaias impacted Connecticut.

2020: Business closures due to the coronavirus pandemic

In the spring of 2020, economists expected record new levels of layoffs as a result of business closures due to the coronavirus pandemic.

2021: Connecticut's U.S. Senators

As of 2021, Connecticut's United States Senators are Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy, both of whom are Democrats.

2021: Matthew Ritter is the Speaker of the House

As of 2021, Matthew Ritter is the Speaker of the House of Representatives in Connecticut's General Assembly.

2021: Infill Stations Planned

As of 2021, several infill stations are planned to be added in the near future for the Hartford Line.

2022: Homeless population in Connecticut

According to HUD's 2022 Annual Homeless Assessment Report, there were an estimated 2,930 homeless people in Connecticut.

2022: Voter Registration Statistics

As of 2022, approximately 58% of registered voters in Connecticut are enrolled in a political party, with the Democratic Party being the largest at 36%, followed by the Republican Party at 21%.

2022: Per capita personal income

In 2022, Connecticut's adjusted per capita personal income was estimated at $77,940, which was the third-highest among all states.

2022: Gross state product for Connecticut

In 2022, the total gross state product for Connecticut was $321.7 billion.

2022: Census Bureau Approval to Replace Counties with COGs

The Census Bureau approved the proposal to replace counties with the Councils of Governments in 2022.

2023: Gross state product for Connecticut

In 2023, the total gross state product for Connecticut was $345.9 billion.

2024: Cessation of County Use for Census Reporting

Although the eight counties are still used for geographical and statistical purposes, census reporting will cease using the counties in 2024.

2024: Connecticut Population

As of 2024, Connecticut has more than 3.6 million residents, making it the 29th most populous state and fourth among the most densely populated U.S. states.

2024: Democratic Party Dominance

As of 2024, Connecticut's U.S. Senators, U.S. House representatives, Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General, and Secretary of State are all members of the Democratic Party.

2024: Full Implementation of COGs for Statistical Purposes

The proposal to replace counties with Councils of Governments for statistical purposes will be fully implemented by 2024.

2025: Income Inequality

As of 2025, Connecticut remained tied for second with Louisiana, with only New York having higher levels of inequality.