1. Vermont Becomes a State: On October 23, 1791, Vermont became the 14th state in the U.S. after declaring independence from New York and being recognized by the Continental Congress.

2. Vermont's First Governor: Thomas Chittenden was elected as Vermont's first governor on October 23, 1778. He served until his death in 1797 and was instrumental in the state's early development.

3. Norwich University Founded: On October 23, 1819, Norwich University was founded in Northfield, Vermont. It is the oldest private military college in the U.S. and was the birthplace of the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC).

4. Famous Vermonters' Birthdays: Several notable Vermonters were born on October 23, including poet Robert Frost (1874) and actor Michael Rupert (1951).

5. Champlain Bridge Collapses: On October 23, 2009, the Champlain Bridge, which connected New York and Vermont over Lake Champlain, collapsed due to structural issues. It was rebuilt and reopened in 2011.