Vermont, the Green Mountain State, was the 14th state, joining the U.S. on March 4, 1791 as the first state following the 13th original colonies. On November 25, 1858, Vermont became one of the first states to abolish slavery.
At 160 miles long and 80 miles wide, people consider Vermont to be a small state, but it is the 2nd largest state in New England, behind Maine. It is the 2nd smallest state in population, just behind Wyoming. Vermont is big on raising cows and is home to nearly half of all New England dairy farms. And it has the nation’s highest human to cattle ratios, coming in at 0.41 humans to every cow.
With all those dairy farms, it is little wonder that Vermont is known for some of the nation’s finest cheeses. Also, Vermont is home to the famed Ben & Jerry’s ice cream (founded in 1981). Ben & Jerry’s donates ice cream waste to local farmers, who feed it to their hogs. (Reportedly, the hogs like all flavors except Mint Oreo.)
(You just knew I would have to talk food!)If you have a sweet tooth, you likely already know that Vermont is the nation’s largest producer of maple syrup, producing more than 500,000 gallons each year.
And here are a couple of little-known facts about Vermont. To preserve the scenic beauty, the Green Mountain State is one of just 4 that forbid billboard advertising (along with Alaska, Hawaii, and Maine). Norwich University, the oldest private military college in the U.S. calls Vermont home. Vermont has the least violent crimes out of all 50 states. Until 1996, Vermont was the only state without a Wal-Mart, and Montpelier remains the only state capital without a McDonald’s. Vermont-born U.S. President Calvin Coolidge is the only President born on the 4th of July.
