1. Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys Raid Ticonderoga - On January 5, 1775, a group of American patriots led by Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys launched a surprise attack on the British-held Fort Ticonderoga, located near the southern tip of Lake Champlain. In one of the first American victories of the Revolutionary War, the Patriots managed to capture the fort and its valuable artillery.

2. Vermont Becomes a State - On January 5, 1791, Vermont became the 14th state to join the Union. Prior to this, Vermont had been an independent republic for 14 years, and had negotiated its admission to the United States on the condition that it retain a high degree of autonomy.

3. A Record-Breaking Snowfall - On January 5, 2010, a massive snowstorm dumped more than three feet of snow on parts of Vermont, setting a new record for the heaviest 24-hour snowfall in the state's history. Some areas saw snowdrifts more than six feet high, and many roads and schools were closed for several days.

4. Bernie Sanders Elected to the U.S. Senate - On January 5, 2007, Bernie Sanders was sworn in as Vermont's junior senator, after winning a decisive victory in the 2006 midterm elections. Sanders, a self-described democratic socialist, has since become a prominent voice in national politics, running for president twice and playing a key role in the progressive wing of the Democratic Party.

5. A Tragic Plane Crash - On January 5, 1945, a military plane carrying 14 people crashed in the Green Mountains near Stowe, Vermont. All on board were killed, including several high-ranking military officials and two journalists. The cause of the crash remains unclear, but it is believed to have been caused by poor weather conditions and pilot error.