1. Ethan Allen, the Green Mountain Boys leader, was born on January 8, 1738, in Litchfield, Connecticut. He played a significant role in the Revolutionary War and was a key figure in Vermont's early history.

2. In 1857, the first issue of the Burlington Free Press, one of Vermont's oldest newspapers, was published on January 8. The newspaper has since won numerous Pulitzer Prizes and continues to be a widely-read source of news and information.

3. January 8, 1915, marked the opening of the Vermont State House, which is the current home of Vermont's state government. The building is located in Montpelier, and its signature golden dome is an iconic symbol of the state.

4. On January 8, 1973, Vermont became the first state in the country to ban billboards along its highways. The law was passed in response to concerns about the negative impact on the state's scenic beauty and has been praised for its impact on tourism and the environment.

5. William C. Wwodward, a renowned cartographer and geographer, was born on January 8, 1856, in Orleans County, Vermont. He was instrumental in developing many of the surveying and mapping techniques used in modern geography and authored several influential textbooks in the field.