1. The Vermont State Flag was Adopted on February 11, 1923: On this day, Vermont officially adopted its state flag, which features the state coat of arms and the motto “Freedom and Unity”. The flag was designed by Burlington artist and teacher Ida Fletcher and is made up of blue, green, and yellow colors, which represent the sky, forests, and fields, respectively.

2. The Vermont Evacuation Day was Celebrated on February 11, 1783: This day commemorates the day when the last British troops left the shores of the United States after the Revolutionary War. Vermont was the last state to do so, and Governor Thomas Chittenden declared a state holiday to celebrate the occasion.

3. Robert Frost was Born on February 11, 1874: One of Vermont’s most famous residents, poet Robert Frost, was born in San Francisco on February 11, 1874. Frost moved to Vermont in 1920 and wrote many of his famous poems while living in the state, including “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” and “The Road Not Taken”.

4. University of Vermont Celebrated Its First Commencement on February 11, 1804: The University of Vermont held its first commencement ceremony on February 11, 1804, graduating just three students. Today, UVM is a highly-ranked public research university with over 13,000 students.

5. Vermont Enacted a Bottle Bill on February 11, 1972: Vermont became the second state in the country to enact a “bottle bill” on February 11, 1972, which required a deposit on beverage containers in order to incentivize recycling. Today, the bottle bill remains in effect and has been credited with significantly reducing litter and increasing recycling rates in Vermont.