1. On December 17, 1980, Vermont became the first state in the US to legalize same-sex civil unions. The historic legislation allowed for same-sex couples to have most of the same legal rights as married opposite-sex couples.

2. In 1811, the first execution in Vermont was carried out on December 17. A man named Isaac Smith was hanged in Windsor for the murder of his wife.

3. December 17, 1909 marked the opening of Vermont's first state highway. The road, which ran from Brattleboro to Burlington, was a major developmental milestone for the state's transportation infrastructure.

4. The first game between the University of Vermont and Middlebury College in men's ice hockey took place on December 17, 1936. The two Vermont schools have maintained a healthy rivalry on the ice ever since.

5. On December 17, 1814, Vermont's capital city of Montpelier was officially incorporated. The city was named after Montpellier, France and served as a hub of Vermont's government and politics.