1. Vermont Becomes a State: On December 31, 1790, Vermont officially became the 14th state of the United States. After years of being a disputed territory, Vermont gained statehood after agreeing to pay off New York state's claim to its land.
2. Record Low Temperature: On December 31, 1917, the temperature in Bloomfield, Vermont dropped to -50°F, setting the record for the coldest temperature ever recorded in the state. This extreme cold was due to a combination of a strong arctic high pressure system and snow cover.
3. Vermont's First Governor: Thomas Chittenden, one of the founders of Vermont, was elected as the state's first governor on December 31, 1777. Chittenden served as governor for 18 years and was instrumental in securing Vermont's independence from New York.
4. Skiing Comes to Vermont: On December 31, 1933, the first ski tow in the United States was installed at the Pico Mountain ski resort in Vermont. The tow, which was powered by an automobile engine, allowed skiers to tow up the mountain instead of hiking, making skiing more accessible to the general public.
5. First U.S. Presidential Primary: On December 31, 1919, Vermont held the first ever U.S. presidential primary election. The primary allowed voters to directly choose their preferred presidential candidate instead of relying on party conventions to select candidates. Since then, the Vermont primary has become an important event in the presidential election process.
5 Fun Facts About December 31 In Vermont History
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