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'''Maine''' was the twenty-third state to enter into the union. Its capital is Augusta. The state is one of the more Republican-leaning states in the Northeast, with its First Congressional District leaning [[Democratic Party|Democrat]] and its Second Congressional District leaning [[Republican Party|Republican]].  Maine, which was discovered by the French, is named after the ancient province of Maine in [[France]], which dates back to [[Gaul]].<ref>http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2010/05/no-one-knows-why-maine-is-called-maine/</ref>

'''Maine''' was the twenty-third state to enter into the union. Its capital is Augusta. The state is one of the more Republican-leaning states in the Northeast, with its First Congressional District heavily [[Democratic Party|Democrat]]-favoring and its Second Congressional District leaning [[Republican Party|Republican]].  Maine, which was discovered by the French, is named after the ancient province of Maine in [[France]], which dates back to [[Gaul]].<ref>http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2010/05/no-one-knows-why-maine-is-called-maine/</ref>

The state Constitution of Maine, like all of the other 50 states, acknowledges God or our Creator or the ''Sovereign Ruler of the Universe''.  It says:

The state Constitution of Maine, like all of the other 50 states, acknowledges God or our Creator or the ''Sovereign Ruler of the Universe''.  It says:

==History==

==History==

===Ice Age===

===Ice Age===

The rocks of Maine are one of the oldest parts of the US, dating from the Devonian period.<ref>http://www.statefossils.com/me/me.html</ref> The last [[glaciers]] of the ice age shaped the coastline into the many [[peninsula]]s we see today and formed Maine's 2,000 [[island]]s.

The rocks of Maine are one of the oldest parts of the US, dating from the Devonian period.<ref>http://www.statefossils.com/me/me.html</ref> The last [[glaciers]] of the ice age shaped the coastline into the many [[peninsula]]s we see today and formed Maine's 2,000 [[island]]s.

===Vikings in Maine===

===Vikings in Maine===

Some historians have suggested, without real evidence, that five hundred years earlier than [[Columbus]], the [[Viking]] raider [[Leif Ericson]] with a crew of 30 sailors are thought to have explored the Maine coast and possibly tried to establish a settlement here.  

Some historians have suggested, without real evidence, that five hundred years earlier than [[Columbus]], the [[Viking]] raider [[Leif Ericson]] with a crew of 30 sailors are thought to have explored the Maine coast and possibly tried to establish a settlement here.  

===Colonization===

===Colonization===

In 1498 John Cabot, who was employed by King Henry VII of England, may have explored the Maine coast, although there is no concrete evidence of his visit. A hundred years later, some European ships came ashore to repair the ships and gather fresh supplies.

In 1498 John Cabot, who was employed by King Henry VII of England, may have explored the Maine coast, although there is no concrete evidence of his visit. A hundred years later, some European ships came ashore to repair the ships and gather fresh supplies.

===Disputes over ownership===

===Disputes over ownership===

England and France disputed the ownership of Maine during the early eighteenth century. The French actively supported Indian raids on white settlements, thinking this would drive English settlers out.

England and France disputed the ownership of Maine during the early eighteenth century. The French actively supported Indian raids on white settlements, thinking this would drive English settlers out.

===Maine during the Revolutionary War===

===Maine during the Revolutionary War===

Mainers resisted the oppressive British taxes ten years before the Revolutionary War, seizing tax stamps at what was then called Falmouth but is now [[Portland]]. Customs agents were frequently attacked. A version of the [[Boston Tea Party]] happened in York, Maine in 1774 when a tea shipment was burned in York.

Mainers resisted the oppressive British taxes ten years before the Revolutionary War, seizing tax stamps at what was then called Falmouth but is now [[Portland]]. Customs agents were frequently attacked. A version of the [[Boston Tea Party]] happened in York, Maine in 1774 when a tea shipment was burned in York.

===Becoming a State===

===Becoming a State===

After the [[Revolutionary War]], settlers on what was then a frontier area resented being ruled from 'away' in Boston  and campaigned for separation from Massachusetts.

After the [[Revolutionary War]], settlers on what was then a frontier area resented being ruled from 'away' in Boston  and campaigned for separation from Massachusetts.

===Maine and Prohibition===

===Maine and Prohibition===

The world's first Total Abstinence Society was founded in Portland in 1815 and other temperance societies over the next two decades. Eventually, a state law prohibiting the sale of alcohol except for "medicinal and mechanical purposes" was passed. By 1851 a law banning the manufacture and sale of liquor was passed in 1851 and not repealed until 1934, along with the repeal of Prohibition in the rest of the United States.

The world's first Total Abstinence Society was founded in Portland in 1815 and other temperance societies over the next two decades. Eventually, a state law prohibiting the sale of alcohol except for "medicinal and mechanical purposes" was passed. By 1851 a law banning the manufacture and sale of liquor was passed in 1851 and not repealed until 1934, along with the repeal of Prohibition in the rest of the United States.

===Maine and the Civil War===

===Maine and the Civil War===

Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote "Uncle Tom's Cabin" at Brunswick, where her husband was a professor at Bowdoin College. The popular book aroused anti-slavery feelings throughout the northern states in the 1850s.

Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote "Uncle Tom's Cabin" at Brunswick, where her husband was a professor at Bowdoin College. The popular book aroused anti-slavery feelings throughout the northern states in the 1850s.

   

   

==Politics==

==Politics==

Maine politics was dominated by the Republican Party from 1854 until the Democrat [[Edmund S. Muskie]] became governor in 1954. He and others broadened the Democratic base.

Maine politics was dominated by the Republican Party from 1854 until the Democrat [[Edmund S. Muskie]] became governor in 1954. He and others broadened the Democratic base.

In 2016 the First Congressional district voted for [[Hillary Clinton]] in the [[2016 Presidential Election]], while the Second district voted for [[Donald Trump|Trump]]. Each district is worth one vote, but since Clinton received the most votes across the state as a whole, she received three electoral votes, while Trump received one from the Second Congressional District.<ref>https://www.270towin.com/states/Maine</ref>

In 2016 the First Congressional district voted for [[Hillary Clinton]] in the [[2016 Presidential Election]], while the Second district voted for [[Donald Trump|Trump]]. Each district is worth one vote, but since Clinton received the most votes across the state as a whole, she received three electoral votes, while Trump received one from the Second Congressional District.<ref>https://www.270towin.com/states/Maine</ref>

=== Elected Officials ===

===Elected Officials===

 

====Federal====

====Federal====

* Sen. [[Susan Collins]] (R)

* Sen. [[Susan Collins]] (R)