Vermont: Difference between revisions
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== History of the Vermont Flag == | == History of the Vermont Flag == | ||
The Vermont State Flag features a blue background with the Vermont Coat of Arms positioned | The Vermont State Flag features a blue background with the Vermont Coat of Arms prominently positioned in the center. The coat of arms displays a shield depicting a scene that includes a pine tree on a green field, a cow, and three sheaves of wheat in the foreground, with green mountains in the background. The shield is encircled by gold filigree. Above the shield, a deer's head sits atop a twisted gold and blue bar. The pine tree symbolizes the Vermont forests, the cow represents Vermont's dairy industry, the three sheaves of wheat signify Vermont's agriculture, the deer's head reflects the wildlife, and the green mountains illustrate Vermont's landscape. At the bottom of the shield is a red scroll bearing white writing that reads, "Freedom, Vermont, Unity." Beneath that are two pine branches crossed between the shield and the scroll. These pine branches around the shield pay homage to those worn by soldiers at the Battle of Plattsburgh. The Vermont State Flag was adopted on June 1st, 1923. | ||
Vermont is located in the New England | Vermont is located in the New England region of the United States and shares borders with Canada, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and New York. The capital city is Montpelier, while the largest city is Burlington. A significant portion of Vermont is covered by mountains and forests, with the most famous mountain range being the Green Mountains. The name Vermont is derived from the French words "Vert" and "Mont," which translate to Green Mountain, and it is also referred to as "The Green Mountain State." | ||
Vermont is considered | Vermont is considered the safest state in the United States of America. The state was inhabited for thousands of years by Native American tribes, including the Abenaki, Mohican, Pennacook, Pocomtuc, and Massachusett. The first European to arrive in the area was the French explorer Samuel de Champlain, who named the mountains "vert mont" on his map in 1647 and claimed the area for France in 1609. In 1666, the first European settlement was established by the French, which was "Fort Sainte Anne." In 1724, the British arrived and established the settlement "Fort Dummer." In 1754, the French and Indian War broke out between the French and the English, who were both trying to gain control of the area. Both sides formed alliances with different Indian tribes. The French and Indian War ended in 1763, when the British defeated the French and gained control of Vermont. | ||
In 1775, at the start of the Revolutionary War, Vermont joined | In 1775, at the start of the Revolutionary War, Vermont joined the quest for independence, and the "Green Mountain Boys," a group of Vermont settlers, were led by Ethan Allen to capture the British Fort Ticonderoga. In 1777, Vermont declared itself an independent republic, and in January 1791, it officially became the 14th state (first state after the original thirteen colonies) of the United States of America. | ||
== External links == | == External links == | ||
Revision as of 06:41, 14 May 2025
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Vermont is a state in the New England region of the United States. It borders the states of Massachusetts to the south, New Hampshire to the east, and New York to the west, as well as the Canadian province of Quebec to the north. Vermont is the only state in New England that does not border the Atlantic Ocean. It is the second-least-populated U.S. state after Wyoming and the sixth-smallest by area among the 50 U.S. states, with a recorded population of 643,503 according to the 2020 U.S. census. The state capital is Montpelier, the least-populous state capital in the United States. The most-populous city, Burlington, is the least-populous city to hold that title in a state.
For approximately 12,000 years, indigenous peoples have inhabited this area. The historically competitive tribes of the Algonquian-speaking Abenaki and Iroquoian-speaking Mohawk were active in the region at the time of the European encounter. During the 17th century, French colonists claimed the territory as part of the Kingdom of France's colony of New France. After the Kingdom of Great Britain began to establish colonies to the south along the Atlantic coast, the two nations competed in North America as well as in Europe. Following their defeat in 1763 in the Seven Years' War, France ceded its territory east of the Mississippi River to Great Britain.
Afterward, the nearby British Thirteen Colonies, particularly the provinces of New Hampshire and New York, contested the boundaries of the area known as the New Hampshire Grants to the west of the Connecticut River, including present-day Vermont. The provincial government of New York issued land grants to settlers in the region, which conflicted with earlier grants from the government of New Hampshire. The Green Mountain Boys militia defended the interests of the established New Hampshire land grant settlers against the newly arrived settlers with land titles granted by New York. Ultimately, a group of settlers with New Hampshire land grant titles formed the Vermont Republic in 1777 as an independent state during the American Revolutionary War. The Vermont Republic abolished slavery before any of the other states.
Vermont was admitted to the newly formed United States as the fourteenth state in 1791. During the mid-19th century, Vermont was a strong source of abolitionist sentiment, although it was also linked to King Cotton through the development of textile mills in the region that relied on southern cotton. It sent a significant contingent of soldiers to participate in the American Civil War.
The geography of the state is defined by the Green Mountains, which run north-south through the center of the state, separating Lake Champlain and other valley terrain on the west from the Connecticut River valley that constitutes much of its eastern border. Most of its terrain is forested with hardwoods and conifers, and a significant portion of its open land is dedicated to agriculture. The state's climate is characterized by warm, humid summers and cold, snowy winters.
Vermont's economic activity of $34 billion in 2018 ranked last among U.S. states and territories by GDP but 34th in GDP per capita. In 2000, the state legislature was the first to recognize civil unions for same-sex couples.
Etymology
Samuel de Champlain claimed the area around what is now Lake Champlain, naming it Vert Mont (Green Mountain) on a 1647 map. Evidence suggests that this name began to circulate among English settlers before it transformed into "Vermont" around 1760. In 1777, Thomas Young introduced the name in writing with a broadside "To the Inhabitants of Vermont, a Free and Independent State."
Sexual Orientation in Vermont
Vermont is widely recognized as one of the most LGBTQ+-friendly states in the United States, boasting a long history of progressive legislation and inclusive policies.
Legal Protections and Milestones
- Same-Sex Marriage: Vermont became the first state to legalize same-sex marriage through legislative action in 2009, following its pioneering recognition of civil unions in 2000.
- Anti-Discrimination Laws: The state prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in employment, housing, public accommodations, education, credit, insurance, and union practices.
- Conversion Therapy Ban: In 2016, Vermont banned the practice of conversion therapy on minors, aligning with efforts to protect LGBTQ+ youth.
- Gender Identity Recognition: As of July 2022, individuals can amend the gender marker on their birth certificates to "male," "female," or "X" without requiring a court order or medical documentation.
- Gender-Neutral Bathrooms: Since July 2018, all single-user public restrooms in Vermont are required to be designated as gender-neutral, promoting inclusivity for all individuals.
- Ban on "Panic" Defense: In 2021, Vermont abolished the use of the "gay and/or trans panic defense" in legal proceedings, preventing defendants from justifying violent crimes based on a victim's sexual orientation or gender identity.
- Community and Advocacy
- Outright Vermont: A leading organization dedicated to creating a Vermont where all LGBTQ+ youth have hope, equity, and power.
- GLAD (GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders): Provides legal information and resources to LGBTQ+ individuals in Vermont, including guidance on their rights in various sectors.
- Summary
Vermont's commitment to LGBTQ+ rights is evident through its comprehensive legal protections, progressive policies, and supportive community organizations. The state's approach serves as a model for inclusivity and equality, ensuring that individuals of all sexual orientations and gender identities are afforded the rights and respect they deserve.
History of the Vermont Flag
The Vermont State Flag features a blue background with the Vermont Coat of Arms prominently positioned in the center. The coat of arms displays a shield depicting a scene that includes a pine tree on a green field, a cow, and three sheaves of wheat in the foreground, with green mountains in the background. The shield is encircled by gold filigree. Above the shield, a deer's head sits atop a twisted gold and blue bar. The pine tree symbolizes the Vermont forests, the cow represents Vermont's dairy industry, the three sheaves of wheat signify Vermont's agriculture, the deer's head reflects the wildlife, and the green mountains illustrate Vermont's landscape. At the bottom of the shield is a red scroll bearing white writing that reads, "Freedom, Vermont, Unity." Beneath that are two pine branches crossed between the shield and the scroll. These pine branches around the shield pay homage to those worn by soldiers at the Battle of Plattsburgh. The Vermont State Flag was adopted on June 1st, 1923.
Vermont is located in the New England region of the United States and shares borders with Canada, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and New York. The capital city is Montpelier, while the largest city is Burlington. A significant portion of Vermont is covered by mountains and forests, with the most famous mountain range being the Green Mountains. The name Vermont is derived from the French words "Vert" and "Mont," which translate to Green Mountain, and it is also referred to as "The Green Mountain State."
Vermont is considered the safest state in the United States of America. The state was inhabited for thousands of years by Native American tribes, including the Abenaki, Mohican, Pennacook, Pocomtuc, and Massachusett. The first European to arrive in the area was the French explorer Samuel de Champlain, who named the mountains "vert mont" on his map in 1647 and claimed the area for France in 1609. In 1666, the first European settlement was established by the French, which was "Fort Sainte Anne." In 1724, the British arrived and established the settlement "Fort Dummer." In 1754, the French and Indian War broke out between the French and the English, who were both trying to gain control of the area. Both sides formed alliances with different Indian tribes. The French and Indian War ended in 1763, when the British defeated the French and gained control of Vermont.
In 1775, at the start of the Revolutionary War, Vermont joined the quest for independence, and the "Green Mountain Boys," a group of Vermont settlers, were led by Ethan Allen to capture the British Fort Ticonderoga. In 1777, Vermont declared itself an independent republic, and in January 1791, it officially became the 14th state (first state after the original thirteen colonies) of the United States of America.
External links
- Wikipedia article: Vermont
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