Last week, voters in Maine, Maryland, and Washington state approved measures supporting marriage equality, while those in Minnesota rejected a proposed state constitutional amendment to define marriage as between a man and a woman. The four made history by becoming the first states to approve—or not reject—gay marriage at the ballot box.

In Maine, voters changed course for a second time concerning same-sex marriage, as a previous effort at passage of marriage equality had failed. Maine is the first state where measure supporters collected enough signatures to have the issue placed on the referendum. In 2009, Maine voters overturned a measure supporting marriage equality that had been passed by state lawmakers. The new law’s effective date will be no later than January 4, 2013.

In Maryland, voters narrowly affirmed the state’s marriage equality law. They were asked whether to uphold the gay marriage law championed this year by the governor that was put on hold after opponents gathered enough signatures to force a public vote.

In the Old Line State, a phalanx of Hollywood muscle—included A-Listers Brad Pitt, George Clooney, and Leonardo di Caprio—threw their muscle and fundraising clout in support of the battle for same-sex marriage.

“This is an historic day for Washington, an historic day for our country and, most of all, for families across the state who have dreamed of this day and the wedding celebrations to come,” said Washington United for Marriage campaign manager Zach Silk.

In February, Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire, a Democrat, signed into law a voter-approved marriage equality measure, which would have taken effect in June. But opponents filed more than 200,000 signatures to get the issue placed on the ballot.

In Minnesota, voters killed an amendment to the state constitution that would have defined marriage as a union between a man and a woman—the first state to reject a constitutional amendment limiting marriage equality.

While same-sex marriage remains illegal in Minnesota, the absence of a constitutional amendment prohibiting it removes a major obstacle to its eventual adoption.

Elsewhere in the Union, same-sex marriage is legal in Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Vermont, and the District of Columbia, where measures were enacted by lawmakers or through court decision. Before last week, 32 states had rejected marriage equality initiatives.