1. The Vermont Statehouse was completed on December 30, 1859, after four years of construction. It was designed by architect Thomas Silloway and is considered one of the best examples of Greek Revival architecture in the United States.

2. In 1776, the Green Mountain Boys, led by Ethan Allen, captured the British garrison at Fort Ticonderoga. The capture of this fort gave the Americans control of an important strategic position on Lake Champlain and was a significant victory early in the Revolutionary War.

3. Vermont became the 14th state in the United States on March 4, 1791, but it wasn't until December 30, 1814, that the state officially adopted its current state flag. The flag features the state coat of arms on a blue background and is still in use today.

4. On December 30, 1893, the first ski jumping tournament in the United States was held in Brattleboro, Vermont. The tournament attracted competitors from all over the world and helped to establish skiing as a popular sport in Vermont.

5. In 1943, Vermont became the first state in the United States to abolish slavery through state constitutional amendment. The amendment was ratified on December 30, 1943, and symbolized Vermont's commitment to abolitionism and civil rights.