Name the first independent nation to be admitted to The United States (Hint: It’s not Texas)
Initially named “New Connecticut” this breakaway territory from the Colony and new State of New York declared its independence from both Great Britain and New York on 15 January 1777. Six months later, in the month of June 1777, the name was changed to a variation on the French for green mountain or Montagne Verte, “Vermont”.
A collection of 72 Vermont delegates assembled on 2 July 1777 in Windsor to draft their constitution. Six days later, 8 July 1777, these delegates adopted the first written national constitution in North America. It was the first to outlaw slavery and to give the right to vote to all adult males, as opposed to only adult male real property holders. Vermont was an independent nation!
The United States Congress continued to view the Independent Nation of Vermont as a part of the State of New York throughout the 1780’s. Due to the rejection by the United States government, Vermont explored with Britain the idea of being readmitted to the empire as part of Canada. By 1791 the United States was about to admit the “slave state” Kentucky to the Union. To maintain the balance of “free” and “slave” states, Vermont was brought in as the 14th state in 1791, with Kentucky following in 1792. Thus ended their sole sovereignty, and we can purchase their wonderful maple syrup duty-free!
