Vermont became the 14th state in 1791; it was the first admitted after the thirteen colonies. HISTORY reviews and updates its content regularly to ensure it is complete and accurate. Even today, the state has the highest ratio of cows to people in the country, with one cow for every 3.8 Vermonters. Essex County (6,163) is the least populated county in Vermont. Bears are often seen, but wild members of the cat family are rare. It may seem a strange choice for a people seeking a distinct identity from their neighbors, but leaders of the newly independent republic initially called it “New Connecticut” in honor of the state where Allen and other leaders of the Green Mountain Boys were born. Revolutionary soldier to shed British blood at the Battle of Lexington, April 19, 1775 was Solomon Brown from New Haven, Vermont, who thus fired the first effective shot in the Revolutionary War. Not wanting to pay additional money to New York for land already granted to them by New Hampshire, Ethan Allen and other settlers formed the Green Mountain Boys militia to challenge King George III’s decision. Vermont History Vermont had its beginnings in a land controversy. At one time, Vermont had approximately 600 of its distinctive covered bridges. The state of Vermont has been inhabited for thousands of years, beginning with the AbenakiNative Americans, who lived in wigwams and hunted for caribou (reindeer). Near the middle of the eighteenth century, both Benning Wentworth, the colonial governor of New Hampshire, and Lt. Two-thirds of Vermont’s covered bridges were destroyed in a flood. In order to distribute the bonuses without new taxes, the state legislature in September 1941 pointed to President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s recent order to the U.S. Navy to shoot first if it encountered German warships entering American waters to declare that a state of “armed conflict” between the United States and Germany already existed. The short growing season and rocky soil make dairying the dominant form of commercial farming. Vermont was admitted to the United States as the fourteenth state in 1791 after a brief period of sovereignty following the American Revolutionary War. The federal designation was changed a few weeks later after protests by legislators in states adjacent to the Great Lakes. The state’s capital is Montpelier. In the next century, several European settlements were established throughout Vermont including the British and the Dutch. Explore Vermont’s state historic sites, museums and historic downtowns and immerse yourself in the stories of Vermont. In Colonial America, New York and New Hampshire both staked claims on Vermont. Vermont, constituent state of the United States of America. On October 19, 1864, approximately two dozen Confederate soldiers who had descended from Canada robbed three banks in the town of St. Albans before retreating back across the border with $200,000. Gunfire that erupted during the raid killed Elinus Morrison, a contractor supervising a hotel construction project, in what was the northernmost land action of the Civil War. In January 1777, delegates from 28 towns met in a tavern and declared their independence from New York as well. Vermont experienced rising abolitionist sentiment and subsequently fought on the Union side of the American Civil War. Vermont History Facts. Official Tourism Site of Vermont, United States, Vermont - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11), Vermont - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). 1791 - The U.S. Congress admits Vermont as the 14th state. Governor Cadwallader Colden, representing the colonial government of New York, claimed territory in what is now Vermont. In turn, many creative personalities have sought the spiritual refuge offered by the state. For 14 years Vermont was an independent republic. Paleo-Indians began to move into northern New England about 9000 bce, at the end of the last ice age.Vermont sites from the late Archaic culture period (c. 4000 bce) reveal highly specialized slate tools and evidence of wide-ranging exchange networks, including copper tools from the upper Great Lakes and shells from the Gulf of Mexico. (Credit: Public Domain). 4. Overview of Vermont History and Heritage. The hermit thrush is the state bird of Vermont. If you already knew all of these facts, well you get an A+ in VT knowledge. The state tree is the sugar maple, which reflects Vermont’s prominence in maple sugar and syrup production. Part of the Missisquoi turns north to flow through Canada before returning to Vermont. It was attacked by Confederate soldiers during the Civil War. Please select which sections you would like to print: Corrections? Red clover is the state flower of Vermont. We preserve the history that makes Vermont a special place to live, work, and visit. Two-thirds of Vermont’s covered bridges were destroyed in a flood. Thirty-one mountains in the state rise above 3,500 feet (1,100 metres), and most of this tilted landscape is rocky with thin topsoil. It is bordered by New Hampshire, across the Connecticut River (E), Massachusetts (S), New York, with Lake Champlain forming almost half the border (W), and the Canadian province of Quebec (N). After the American Revolution began, the Green Mountain Boys decided independence from Great Britain was not enough. Population (2010) 625,741; (2019 est.) In 1998 President Bill Clinton signed a bill that designated Lake Champlain as one of the Great Lakes for the purpose of competing for federal research money under the National Sea Grant Program. Only about 15 percent of the state’s terrain, mostly in the Champlain valley, is level land with fertile soil and high productive capability. 6. Not until six months later in June 1777—at the suggestion of a Philadelphia doctor who was Allen’s friend—did the republic change its name to “Vermont,” based on the French words for “green mountains.”, Vermont Statehood. Mount Mansfield, at 4,393 feet (1,339 metres), is its highest point; and Lake Champlain, at 95 feet (29 metres), is its lowest. Frustrated by the decision, Vermont started in the fall of 1780 to make overtures to the governor general of Canada to rejoin the British Empire as part of the province of Quebec. The state fossil , the beluga whale skeleton was found in a farmer's field in western Vermont in 1849. Its original name was “New Connecticut.” Millions of people visit the state each year, and many thousands of out-of-state residents maintain second homes in Vermont. There is a growing moose population and (since 1993) an annual moose-hunting season. This map by Lewis Robinson shows Vermont's county boundaries in 1850. Vermont History Museum, Montpelier, VT. History for Homeschoolers - Made in Vermont. Native American Indians indigenous to Vermont include the Abenaki tribe and the Iroquois. Editor of. The discussions fizzled, however, after the American Revolution came to a close. Dig deeper into the history of Vermont and see wh at interesting facts you can discover about this state with a free 7-page state history printable. Grand Isle County (83 sq mi) is the smallest county in Vermont. President Calvin Coolidge was born in Plymouth, Vermont on the 4th of July in 1872. Vermont (nicknamed: Green Mountain State) has 14 counties. Although Vermont was hundreds of miles removed from the battlefields of the Civil War, it was the scene of one of the war’s most unexpected attacks. Before Vermont became the 14th state, it existed as an independent nation for 14 years. There is a lot of rich history in every state and country, including the great state of Vermont. Geography >> US States>> Vermont History For state symbols, flag, maps, geography, and fun facts: Vermont had a three-month head start on the rest of the country in fighting World War II. It is sparsely populated, and its capital, Montpelier, is one of the least-populous U.S. state capitals. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Vermont is a tiny state hidden in the northeast corner of the United States. Omissions? The French then claimed Vermont as part of New France, the first European settlement in the state. 623,989. Fun for all ages. Feb 10, 2021 - Feb 11, 2021 | 1pm - 3pm. Green Mountains, near East Bethel, Vermont. While the United States did not declare war on Nazi Germany until December 11, 1941, Vermont declared three months earlier that the two countries were already in “armed conflict.” After the country re-instituted a draft in 1940, the Vermont legislature sought to issue a $10-a-month bonus to those state residents serving in the military, a decision that required a new tax in peacetime. Twice a week we compile our most fascinating features and deliver them straight to you. 9. The longest river entirely within the state is the Lamoille (85 miles [135 km]), followed by Otter Creek (75 miles [120 km]), which rises in southwestern Vermont and flows northward into Lake Champlain. In many ways Vermont is a vigorous survivor of an earlier, simpler time in the United States. Vermont State Archivist, Office of the Secretary of State, Montpelier. The Abenaki who originally settled Vermont told stories of a legendary sea serpent named “Tatoskok” that inhabited the depths of what is known today as Lake Champlain. We’ve gathered some cool facts and if you knew them all, well then you get an A+ on todays history lesson. © 2021 A&E Television Networks, LLC. This count is called the census. Vermont is bordered to the north by Quebec, Canada, to the east by New Hampshire, to the south by Massachusetts, and to the west by New York. Today, barely more than 100 covered bridges survive in Vermont. The story of Charlotte the Vermont whale. The Vermont Historical Society is the only organization in Vermont that collects artifacts, books, and documents that reflect the entire history of the state, including every geographical area and every chronological period. Vermont vərmŏnt´ [Fr.,=green mountain], New England state of the NE United States. Vermont City / Town Facts. (Credit: Vermont Historical Society). Professional Sports Teams There are no major professional sports franchises in Vermont. Concerns about excessive logging have led to state restrictions on clear-cutting. During the 1700s, both New Hampshire and New York claimed the no man’s land that lay between them. Instant Download: FREE Vermont State History Printable More people live in El Paso, Texas, than in Vermont. With a population of fewer than nine thousand people, Montpelier, Vermont is the smallest state capital in the U.S. Montpelier, Vermont is the only U.S. state capital without a McDonalds. Join VHS for virtual Vermont History trivia! Flag of the Green Mountain Boys and the Vermont Republic. Cross-country skier near (background) Mount Mansfield, Vermont. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. Vermont's name comes from the French phrase “vert mont,” meaning “green mountain.” 2. Every ten years, the United States counts the number of people in each town, in each state. It wasn’t until the French Indian Wa… The first chapter of the Vermont constitution that was adopted in January 1777 affirms that “all men are born equally free and independent, and have certain natural, inherent and unalienable rights.” The constitution abolished the enslavement of men over the age of 21 and women over the age of 18. 1805 - The state capital is moved to Montpelier from Windsor. (Credit: Kenneth Wiedemann/http://www.istockphoto.com). Also available as a virtual class. The Green Mountains that cover most of the state are part of the northern Appalachian Mountains, which run southeastward from Canada into north-central Alabama. You better believe that big things happened in the little Green Mountain State! It is sparsely populated, and its capital, Montpelier, is … Vermont History Vermont History. All Rights Reserved. FACT CHECK: We strive for accuracy and fairness. (Credit: Amber Kincaid). Vermont’s eventual admission to the Union ultimately came at a price—$30,000 to be paid to New York in compensation for the loss of its property. 1609 - The area which is today Vermont was first explored by Frenchman Samuel de Champlain in 1609, when he claimed it for his home country. Fishing in the lakes and streams, including ice fishing in winter, is popular. Chittenden County (161,382) is the most populated county in Vermont. Vermont was home to a Great Lake—for a few weeks. Vermont Trivia – Vermont firsts, facts and interesting information Vermont was the first state admitted to the Union after the thirteen original colonies. Lake Champlain’s waters empty northward into Canada’s Richelieu River and flow 80 miles (130 km) into the St. Lawrence. The river, from the mean low-water line on the western bank, is entirely within New Hampshire’s borders. 13 Incredible, Almost Unbelievable Facts About Vermont. When the United States was forming in the late 1700s, Vermont became the fourteenth state to join, right after the thirteen colonies. Photographs and census records show how Vermont has changed over time. Vermont’s capitol city, Montpelier, is the smallest state capital in the U.S. , with a population of less than 9,000 people. 1. However, hundreds of them washed away during the devastating Flood of 1927. It’s bordered by Canada in … The first European to explore what is now Vermont is believed to have been the French explorer Jacques Cartier in 1535 who is most famous for his exploration of Canada. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. 1. Facts about Vermont 1. Originally populated by various indigenous peoples of the Algonquin, Iroquois, and Abenaki nations, the land now known as Vermont was first seen by European eyes in 1609, when the French explorer Samuel de Champlain sailed the lake that now bears his name. 1787 - Montpelier is established by Colonel Jacob Davis and General Parley Davis. The wooded areas, with their small brooks and springs, produce a great variety of ferns and wildflowers; in the spring and summer they are filled with the many species of birds common to the Northeast. 5. Vermont is one of the six New England states (states whose first European settlers were Puritans from England). Winter temperatures can drop to −34 °F (−37 °C) and lower, and summer temperatures rarely rise above 90 °F (32 °C). That designation was inserted into the legislation by Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy, although hydrologically Lake Champlain lies outside of the Great Lakes Basin and is one-fifteenth the size of Lake Ontario—the smallest of the Great Lakes. Vermont, Timeline of State History __ "Scan a chronological timeline of important events and dates in Vermont history including the formation of Lake Champlain and the Champlain valley to present day Vermont." The land of Vermont does not have great variety, but in place of this it substitutes an intensity and pervasiveness of those features it does possess. An illustrated timeline lets students discover fascinating facts about Vermont history; Lesson plans and lists of Vermont history books are valuable resources for teachers and homeschool educators. Snowfall in Vermont usually averages between 70 and 80 inches (1,800 and 2,000 mm) in the valleys and up to 110 inches (2,800 mm) in the mountains. 8. 2. Environmental factors such as acid rain have affected trees in the higher elevations. Area 9,616 square miles (24,906 square km). England gained control of the area in 1763 after the French and Indian Wars. Updates? Pine, spruce, fir, and hemlock are common; maple and birch are among the deciduous species. One of the six New England states lying in the northeastern corner of the country, it was admitted to the union on March 4, 1791, as the 14th state. Many people left their birthplaces in Vermont to pursue opportunities in the opening West or in urban centres of the Northeast. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Vermont has never stood in the mainstream of the country’s history, but its people and land have poured into their country a strength and a sense of continuity that joins the achievements of the nation’s past with the purposes of its present. Vermont history, people, places and things on the somewhat unusual and quirky side. The annual growing season is only about 120 days—somewhat longer in the low-lying Champlain valley—because frost usually comes in September and may strike as late as the beginning of June. Champlain soon allied with the Native American Abenaki tribe and to killing an Iroquois chief in a bid to impress. History Exploration and settlement. At one point in history, Vermont had more cows than people. Vermont adopted the first constitution in North America to ban adult slavery. The largest of the 400 natural lakes entirely in Vermont is Lake Bomoseen, west of Rutland. But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us! Total annual precipitation varies from 34 inches (870 mm) in the eastern and western sections to more than 40 inches (1,025 mm) in the mountains. They provide Vermont with a north-south backbone that ranges from approximately 20 to 35 miles (30 to 55 km) in width. The law, however, was not universally enforced. Reported sightings of the enormous lake monster were so prevalent during the 19th century that showman P.T. French Vermont The first European known to have entered the area that is now Vermont was Samuel de Champlain, who, after beginning the colonization of Quebec, journeyed south with a Huron war party in 1609 to the beautiful lake to which he gave his name. Ring in the new year with a Britannica Membership. Vermont was previously an independent country. 3. As farmers abandoned the hillsides, the open spaces quickly refilled with trees. 10. The state has its own version of the Loch Ness Monster. Click on a county and then find a town to see how Vermont's population has changed over the years.Or switch to a list of counties or list of towns.. At one time, Vermont had approximately 600 of its distinctive covered bridges. 1777 - Vermont declares itself an independent republic. 10. 11 Things You Didn’t Know About The History Of Vermont. County Population Facts. The western portion of Lake Champlain is in New York, and three-fourths of the area of Lake Memphremagog—the second largest lake associated with Vermont—lies in Canada. Maps and documents help tell the story of Vermont becoming the 14th state. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. Sections in this article: Introduction ; Facts and Figures; Geography North of the Taconic Range are the Red Sandrock Hills, which extend along Lake Champlain to St. Albans. Vermont copper coinage struck, 1785–1786. The State Capitol Building in Montpelier, Vermont. Barnum in 1873 offered a reward of $50,000 for the “hide of the great Champlain serpent.” The lake monster affectionately known as “Champ” might be imaginary, but a very real Vermont state law has made it a protected species. Vermont’s mountain ranges are broken by the valleys of only a few rivers, such as the Winooski, Lamoille, and Missisquoi, all flowing westward into Lake Champlain. 1790 - Vermont settles its land disputes with New York and New Hampshire. First organized to drive settlers from New York out of Vermont, the Green Mountain Boys, led by Ethan Allen, won fame by capturing Fort Ticonderogafrom the British on May 10, 1775, in the early days of the Revolutionary War. Vermont's history of independent political thought has led to movements for the establishment of the Second Vermont Republic and other plans advocating secession. Vermont has a huge deer population, and deer hunting is an autumn ritual. On the anniversary of Vermont’s statehood, learn 10 surprising facts about the Green Mountain State. When French explorer Samuel de Champlain first arrived in Vermont in 1609 he nicknamed the area 'les Verts Monts' meaning the Green Mountains. 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