Jan. 3, 1787: A fourth convention about a proposal to separate Maine from Massachusetts is held. An “Address to the People” about Maine residents’ grievances had drawn a 645-349 vote in favor of separation, but the total vote count was a tiny minority of those citizens eligible to vote, and they came from only 32 of Maine’s 93 incorporated towns.

The pro-separation side agrees to adjourn the convention. Soon afterward, arguments in the press against separation and the failure of future conventions to accomplish anything make it clear that the pro-separation movement is dead for now.

In 1988 on Capitol Hill, Sen. Robert Byrd, D-W.Va., center, Senate Democratic leader for the past decade, hands the gavel to Sen. George J. Mitchell after Mitchell was elected Senate majority leader. Associated Press file photo
Jan. 3, 1989: U.S. Sen. George J. Mitchell, D-Maine, a Waterville native and former U.S. attorney and federal judge, becomes Senate majority leader. He later steps down on Jan. 3, 1995, capping a 15-year Senate tenure, when President Bill Clinton appoints him U.S. special envoy for Northern Ireland.
In that job, the former federal judge helps negotiate a peace deal between the long-feuding Protestant and Catholic factions in Northern Ireland. Michell also becomes the author or co-author of several books, mostly about politics and international peace negotiations.
On this date was researched and written by Joseph Owen of Augusta, a retired copy desk chief of the Morning Sentinel and Kennebec Journal newspapers. Owen is a longtime member, former president and current board member of the Augusta-based Kennebec Historical Society.
Presented by:

Send questions/comments to the editors.
-
Local & State
Maine’s fairs, and some festivals, plan to return this summer and fall
-
Maine Voices
Maine Voices: I’ve spent my working life fighting other people’s racism. Now I must confront mine.
-
Books
‘Hummingbird Salamander’ is a gripping eco-thriller full of cinematic set pieces
-
Arts & Entertainment
Deep Water: ‘savannah blues,’ by Leslie Moore
-
Columns
Jim Fossel: Hypocrisy abounds in response to Georgia voting law
Success. Please wait for the page to reload. If the page does not reload within 5 seconds, please refresh the page.
Enter your email and password to access comments.
Hi {SUB NAME}, to comment on stories you must . This profile is in addition to your subscription and website login.
Already have one? .
Invalid username/password.
Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration.
Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login to participate in the conversation. Here’s why.
Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.