1. In 1777, Vermont declared its independence from neighboring New York and declared itself a separate state. This move was opposed by New York and was not recognized by the United States until 1791 when Vermont officially became the 14th state to join the Union.

2. In 1877, the Vermont State House was destroyed by a fire. The building was reconstructed using funds raised by citizens from across the state, and it was completed in 1885.

3. In 1919, Vermont became the first state to ratify the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which granted women the right to vote. This important milestone paved the way for women's suffrage in the United States.

4. In 1950, the University of Vermont established the first ski patrol program in the United States. This innovative program helped to set safety standards for ski resorts across the country, and has since been implemented in many other parts of the world.

5. In 2008, Vermont became the fourth state in the United States to legalize same-sex marriage. This landmark decision followed years of advocacy and activism by LGBTQ+ individuals and allies across the state, and helped to pave the way for nationwide marriage equality in 2015.