1. Vermont became the first state to abolish slavery on April 3, 1777. This was done through the adoption of the Vermont Constitution, which prohibited slavery and declared that all men were born free and equal.

2. The Vermont State House, located in Montpelier, was completed on April 3, 1859. It is the oldest and still-operational state capitol building in the country that serves its original function.

3. In 1968, Vermont Governor Philip H. Hoff signed a law that allowed for the creation of the Vermont State Colleges System on April 3. The system comprises five institutions of higher education, including Castleton University, Northern Vermont University, and Vermont Technical College.

4. On April 3, 1989, Vermont officially recognized the Abenaki people as a Native American tribe. This was the first time a state had recognized the tribe's existence, and it was seen as a significant step forward for Abenaki sovereignty.

5. In 2001, Vermont Governor Howard Dean signed a bill legalizing civil unions for same-sex couples on April 3. Vermont was the first state to provide legal recognition for same-sex relationships, and the move was hailed as a groundbreaking achievement in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights.