The State of Vermont, tucked in the Northeast corner of the U.S., is the second smallest state in the Country with a population of less than 1 million people. Vermont was originally populated by various indigenous peoples of the Algonquin, Iroquois, and Abenaki nations. Many of Vermont town, county, river, and lake names are derivatives of old Indian names. The original Vermonters traveled and lived off the abundance of the land. Vermont's hills were filled with wildlife, and fish were bountiful in the many rivers, ponds and lakes.
White man came to Vermont in the early 1600's, when in 1609, the French explorer Samuel de Champlain sailed into what is now known as Lake Champlain. It was then, in the summer of 1609, when Vermont was first dubbed "Verde Mont," French for "Green Mountains." Like a good explorer would, Champlain claimed this land in the name of France, who eventually swapped Vermont to the British. In 1763, England was granted the land now known as Vermont via the Treaty of Paris. That Treaty ended the French and Indian war. Meanwhile, back in the new World, the land was claimed by both New Hampshire and New York. Vermont patriot Ethan Allen and his Green Mountain Boys put an end to that and by 1777 Vermont achieved independence.
Vermont remained an independent republic until 1791 when it became the 14th member of the United States.
The Capitol of Vermont is Montpelier, with a population of under 10,000 people Montpelier is one of America's smallest Capitol Cities. Click here, to see the historic Capitol building in Montpelier, Vermont as it looks today. For recommended reading about Vermont's history, historical figures, and history makers, click here.
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