1. Vermont became the 14th state of the United States on March 4, 1791, but it wasn't until May 23 of that year that Vermont officially ratified the United States Constitution, making it the first state to join the Union after the original 13 colonies.

2. In 1945, Vermont Senator George Aiken proposed a solution to the escalating conflict in Vietnam known as the "Aiken Plan." Rather than escalating the war, Aiken suggested that the U.S. focus on training the South Vietnamese military to fight the Vietcong on their own. His plan was ultimately rejected by President Johnson, but it remains a notable peace proposal in U.S. history.

3. On May 23, 2009, Vermont became the first state in the nation to legalize same-sex marriage through legislation rather than a court ruling. The bill was signed into law by Governor Jim Douglas, making Vermont the fourth state to legalize same-sex marriage after Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Iowa.

4. In 1775, Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys captured Fort Ticonderoga from the British, marking a significant early victory for the Revolutionary cause. While this event didn't happen on May 23 specifically, it is an important moment in Vermont and U.S. history that is often celebrated and remembered on this day.

5. May 23, 1914 saw the opening of the first section of Vermont's Long Trail, a 273-mile trail that spans the length of the state and is considered the oldest long-distance hiking trail in America. Today, the Long Trail is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and a source of state pride for many Vermonters.