Vermont State History – Capital, Population, History, Facts & Geography of Vermont

Native Americans

For thousands of years, people have lived in what is now Vermont. Before the arrival of Europeans, the land was inhabited by the Abinaki tribe. The Abinaki spoke the Algonquian language and included the Mick Mack and Pennacook Indian tribes.

Information about Vermont State:

Flag of Vermont State:

Europeans Arrive

In 1609, French explorer Samuel de Champlain arrived in Vermont and claimed French lands. Champlain helped the local Abinaki Indians arm and repel the Iroquois. French settlers came mainly to trade beaver pelts, which were popular in France.

The first European settlement in Vermont was Fort St. Anne, built by the French in 1666 to protect the fur trade route.

French and Indian War

The English arrived in his 1724 and established their own settlement in Vermont called Fort Dummer. The fort was built primarily to protect Massachusetts from Indian and French invasions. Finally, in 1754, war broke out between England and France.

This war was called the French and Indian War. Both sides allied themselves with various Native American tribes throughout the East Coast of North America. The war ended with his 1763 British victory. England now controlled Vermont.

Vermont State Symbols

• Vermont State Nickname: Green Mountain State
  
• Vermont State Slogan: Vermont, naturally
  
• Vermont State Motto: Vermont, Freedom and Unity
  
• Vermont State flower: Red Clover
  
• Vermont State bird: Hermit Thrush
  
• Vermont State fish: Brook Trout (cold water), Walleye Pike (warm water)
  
• Vermont State tree: Sugar Maple
• Vermont State mammal: Morgan horse
• Vermont State foods: Apple, Apple Pie

American Revolution

When the American Revolutionary War began, the people of Vermont joined in wanting independence. In 1775, Ethan Allen led a group of Vermont settlers called the Green Mountain Boys to capture British forces at Fort Ticonderoga. This was an important early victory for the settlers.

During the war he proclaimed an independent republic in 1777, Vermont. Originally called New Connecticut, it was later renamed Vermont. They created their own constitution, their own postal service, their own money, their own government.

The Geography of Vermont State:

• Total Size of Vermont: 9,250 sq. miles (source: 2003 Census)
  
• Geographical Low Point of Vermont: Lake Champlain at 95 feet (source: U.S. Geological Survey)
  
• Geographical High Point of Vermont: Mt. Mansfield at 4,393 feet, located in the county/subdivision of Chittenden (source: U.S. Geological Survey)
  
• Central Point of Vermont: Located in Washington County approx. 3 miles east of Roxbury (source: U.S. Geological Survey)
  
• Counties of Vermont: 14 (source: National Association of Counties)
  
• Bodies of Water of Vermont: Lake Champlain, Lake Bomoseen, Connecticut River

Becoming a State

After the war, emerging America had problems with the independent state of Vermont. New Yorkers and New Hampshires insisted on landing in Vermont. Some people in America actually wanted to invade Vermont. In 1790 Vermont agreed to pay a fine of $30,000 to settle the dispute. A year later, in 1791, Vermont became her 14th state to join the United States.

Famous People of Vermont State:

Interesting Facts of Vermont State:

Vermont’s name comes from two French words. They are called ‘vert’ meaning ‘green’ and ‘mont’ meaning ‘mountain’. Hence, this state is named after its beautiful green mountains.

It was one of the first states to outlaw slavery.

It is the second smallest state after Wyoming. Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream started at a gas station in Burlington, Vermont.

Vermont is the home of maple syrup. Do you have pancakes?

Ethan Allen organized the Green Mountain Boys to separate the area from New Hampshire and New York.

Before joining the Union, the country was called New Connecticut.

It became the first state to join the Confederacy after the original Her Thirteen Colonies. President Calvin Coolidge was born on July 4, 1872 in Plymouth, Vermont.

Timeline Overview:

1609 – Samuel de Champlain explores Vermont and claims French lands.
1666 – The French establish Fort St. Anne, the first European settlement on an island in Lake Champlain.
1724 – The British build Fort Dumar in Vermont to protect Massachusetts settlers.
1754 – The French and Indian War begins.
1763 – Britain wins the French and Indian War and takes Vermont.
1775 – Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys capture Fort Ticonderoga.
1777 – Vermont is declared an independent republic.
1787 – Montpelier is founded by Colonel Jacob Davis and General Parley Davis.
1790 – Vermont settles land disputes with New York and New Hampshire.
1791 – The U.S. Congress recognizes Vermont as the 14th state.
1805 – State capital moved from Windsor to Montpelier.
1881 – Chester A. Arthur becomes the 21st President of the United States.
1823 – Calvin Coolidge becomes the 30th President of the United States.