1. Vermont was declared an independent republic on January 3, 1777: In response to the American Revolution, Vermont declared independence from both Britain and New York on this day in history. It was the first territory to do so and remained an independent republic until it joined the United States as the 14th state in 1791.

2. Vermont's first governor was sworn in on January 3, 1778: Thomas Chittenden, who was elected Vermont's first governor in 1777, took the oath of office on January 3, 1778. He served for a total of 19 years and was one of the key figures in Vermont's early history.

3. Vermont's first steamboat was launched on January 3, 1816: The first steamboat in Vermont, the Phoenix, was launched on Lake Champlain on January 3, 1816. The boat was built by Fulton and Livingston, two of the key figures in the development of steam-powered transportation.

4. The first ski tow in New England opened on January 3, 1934: The first ski tow in New England, and one of the first in the United States, opened at Stowe Mountain Resort on January 3, 1934. The tow was powered by a Model T Ford engine and could pull skiers up the mountain at a speed of 200 feet per minute.

5. Vermont's first female governor was inaugurated on January 3, 1985: Madeleine Kunin was inaugurated as Vermont's first female governor on January 3, 1985. She served for three terms and was known for her work on education reform and environmental issues.