1. Vermont became the 14th state in the United States on December 20, 1791, after being an independent republic for 14 years. The state's entry marked the first time that a new state was added to the union since Kentucky in 1792.

2. In 1820, the Vermont Legislature approved a bill to abolish slavery within its borders, making it the first state to do so by legislative means. The law gave slaves born before July 4, 1798, freedom at the age of 25 and those born after that date freedom at the age of 21.

3. On December 20, 1836, the Middlebury Female Seminary was established, providing higher education opportunities for women in Vermont. The seminary eventually became Middlebury College, a prestigious liberal arts institution.

4. In 1853, the first railroad in Vermont opened in Bellows Falls, connecting the town to Boston and Montreal. The railroad helped spur the state's industrial growth and allowed for easier transportation of goods.

5. In 1930, the State Capitol building in Montpelier was destroyed by a fire on December 20th. The building was rebuilt in the following years in a neo-classical style and remains a notable landmark in the state today.