1. Vermont became the 14th state on January 1, 1791. This date marked the end of Vermont's 14-year struggle for independence from New York and admission to the Union as a separate state.

2. On January 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation went into effect nationwide. Vermont played a significant role in the Civil War and supported the Union throughout the war. The state sent over 34,000 men to fight, and over 5,000 of them died in the conflict.

3. The Vermont State Capitol Building, a key landmark in the state, was completed on January 1, 1859. The building reflects the Greek Revival architectural style and features a large dome and columns. It has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1971.

4. On January 1, 1939, the Vermont Motor Vehicle Department was established. This led to the creation of a uniform system of licensing and registration for all vehicles in the state. Today, the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles is responsible for overseeing driver's licenses, vehicle registrations, and enforcing traffic laws.

5. In recent years, the first day of January has marked the start of Vermont's legalized marijuana sales. In 2018, Vermont became the first state to legalize marijuana through its legislative process rather than through a voter initiative. Under the law, adults aged 21 and over can possess up to one ounce of marijuana and grow up to two mature and four immature plants. The first legal sales of marijuana began on January 1, 2022.