1. Vermont became the 14th state in the United States on March 20, 1791. The state was originally part of New York before independence.
2. On March 20, 1833, Rutland and Burlington became the first Vermont towns to be connected by a railroad. This marked a significant step in the state's development and helped to boost its economy.
3. March 20, 1854, saw the birth of Annie Davis, who went on to become Vermont's first African-American schoolteacher. Davis taught at a one-room schoolhouse in Readsboro in the late 19th century.
4. Vermont's longest-serving governor, George Aiken, was born on March 20, 1892, in Dummerston. Aiken served as governor from 1937 to 1941 before being elected to the U.S. Senate, where he served for 34 years.
5. In 1923, the Vermont Legislature officially recognized the first day of spring as "Bird Day" in honor of the state's many bird species that return during this time. March 20 is now celebrated as Bird Day throughout Vermont.