1. Vermont Becomes the 14th State: On December 16, 1791, Vermont officially became the 14th state in the United States. This historic event was the result of a long struggle for independence, spanning over 14 years, that included a series of military battles, diplomatic negotiations, and political maneuvering.

2. Ethan Allen’s Capture: Ethan Allen, the famed leader of the Green Mountain Boys, was captured by the British on December 16, 1775, during a failed attempt to seize Fort Ticonderoga. Allen’s daring and bold leadership had been instrumental in the early stages of the American Revolution, and his capture was seen as a major blow to the patriot cause.

3. The First American Academy of Arts and Sciences in the U.S.: In 1783, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences was founded in Boston, Massachusetts, with one of its earliest members being a Vermont native, Samuel Williams of Rutland. Williams was a prominent scholar and clergyman who made significant contributions to the field of education, and his involvement in the Academy helped to establish it as one of the premier intellectual institutions in the country.

4. The Battle of Plattsburgh: On September 11, 1814, during the War of 1812, American forces under the command of Major General George Izard defeated a British army at the Battle of Plattsburgh in upstate New York. Many Vermonters played a key role in the battle, including militia units from Burlington and Vergennes who helped to repel a British naval attack on Lake Champlain.

5. The University of Vermont: On December 10, 1791, just six days before Vermont became a state, the University of Vermont was formally established in Burlington. At the time, it was only the fifth college or university in the United States, and it quickly became a hub of academic excellence and cultural innovation in the region. Over the years, it has produced numerous distinguished alumni, including governors, senators, and Pulitzer Prize-winning authors.