Vermont
State abbreviation/Postal code: Vt./VT Governor: Phillip Scott, R (to Jan. 2019 Lieut. Governor: David Zuckerman, P (to Jan. 2019) Senators: Patrick Leahy, D (to Jan. 2019); Bernie Sanders, I (to Jan. 2019) Historical biographies of Congressional members Entered Union (rank): March 4, 1791 (14) Present constitution adopted: 1793 Motto: Vermont, Freedom and Unity
Nickname: Green Mountain State Origin of name: From the French “vert mont,” meaning “green mountain” 10 largest cities (2010 est.): Burlington, 42,417; Essex, 19,587; South Burlington, 17,993; Colchester 17,067; Rutland, 16,495; Bennington 15,764, Brattleboro 12,046; Milton, 10,352; Hartford, 9,952; Springfield, 9,078; Barre, 9,052; Williston, 8,698; Middlebury, 8,496 Land area: 9,616 sq mi (24,923 km2)) Geographic center: In Washington Co., 3 mi. E of Roxbury Number of counties: 14 Largest county by population and area: Chittenden, 156,545 (2010); Windsor, 971 sq mi. State forests: 300,000 ac. State parks: 52 Residents: Vermonter 2016 resident population est.: 624,594 2010 resident census population (rank): 625,741 (49). Male: 308,206 (49.3%); Female: 317,535 (50.7%). White: 596,292 (95.3%); Black: 6,277 (1.0%); American Indian: 2,207 (0.4%); Asian: 7,947 (1.3%); Other race: 2,105 (0.3%); Two or more races: 10,753 (1.7%); Hispanic/Latino: 9,208 (1.5%). 2010 percent population 18 and over: 79.3; 65 and over: 14.6; median age: 41.5. |
The Vermont region was explored and claimed for France by Samuel de Champlain in 1609, and the first French settlement was established at Fort Ste. Anne in 1666. The first English settlers moved into the area in 1724 and built Fort Dummer on the site of present-day Brattleboro. England gained control of the area in 1763 after the French and Indian Wars.
First organized to drive settlers from New York out of Vermont, the Green Mountain Boys, led by Ethan Allen, won fame by capturing Fort Ticonderoga from the British on May 10, 1775, in the early days of the Revolutionary War. In 1777 Vermont adopted its first constitution, abolishing slavery and providing for universal male suffrage without property qualifications.
Vermont leads the nation in the production of monument granite, marble, and maple products. It is also a leader in the production of talc. Vermont's rugged, rocky terrain discourages extensive agricultural farming, but is well suited to raising fruit trees and to dairy farming.
Principal industrial products include electrical equipment, fabricated metal products, printing and publishing, and paper and allied products.
Tourism is a major industry in Vermont. Vermont's many famous ski areas include Stowe, Killington, Mt. Snow, Okemo, Jay Peak, and Sugarbush. Hunting and fishing also attract many visitors to Vermont each year. Among the many points of interest are the Green Mountain National Forest, Bennington Battle Monument, the Calvin Coolidge Homestead at Plymouth, and the Marble Exhibit in Proctor.
Vermont has become a trailblazer for gay rights. In April 2009, Vermont became the fourth state to legalize gay marriage. It was the first state to legalize gay marriage by a legislature's vote. The House and Senate voted to override Governor Jim Douglas' veto. Prior to this vote, Vermont was the first state to legalize same-sex civil unions.
See more on Vermont:
Encyclopedia: Vermont
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Selected famous natives and residents:
- Trey Anastasio musician;
- Chester A. Arthur president;
- Orson Bean actor;
- Ted Bundy serial killer;
- Calvin Coolidge president;
- Howard Dean political figure, former Governor;
- George Dewey admiral;
- John Dewey philosopher and educator;
- Stephen A. Douglas politician;
- Carlton Fisk baseball player;
- James Fisk financial speculator;
- Willbur Fisk clergyman and educator;
- Richard Morris Hunt architect;
- William Morris Hunt painter;
- Miranda July filmmaker, actor;
- Elisha Otis inventor;
- Moses Pendleton choreographer;
- Joseph Smith religious leader;
- Ernest Thompson actor and writer;
- Rudy Vallee singer and band leader;
- Henry Wells pioneer entrepreneur (Wells Fargo & Co.);
- Brigham Young religious leader.
