If
there is one word that describes Vermont and its inhabitants, it is
"independent". Vermonters have retained that independence by
fighting off claims to their territory by neighboring states. The heroics
of Ethan Allen and his Green Mountain Boys kept their neighbors at bay,
and by 1777 Vermont had drawn up its own constitution as a free and
independent state. Further asserting the independent thinking of the
state, Vermont became the first state to outlaw slavery. The Georgia state
legislature proclaimed that Vermont was so independent that "the
whole state should be made into an island and towed out to sea." And
even before the United States declared war on Germany, the Vermont
legislature did so itself.
The
tradition of independence carries on to the present day, as Vermonters
continue to jealously guard every person's right to be free thinkers.
Amidst the beautiful scenery of Vermont's hills and valleys, individualism
and independence remain strong.
| THE NAME:
Vermont is an English form of the name that French explorer Samuel de Champlain gave to Vermont's Green
Mountains on his 1647 map. He called them "Verd Mont" meaning green mountain.
Source: Shearer, Benjamin F. and Barbara S.
State
Names, Seals, Flags and Symbols Greenwood Press, Westport, Connecticut - 1994 |
| THE NICKNAMES:
The Green Mountain State: This well-known nickname for the state of Vermont is in reference to the
Green Mountains named by Samuel de Champlain in 1647. Currently, this nickname is displayed on Vermont
license plates as seen on the 1997 plate to the right. Earlier plates pleaded "See Vermont" or simply stated "Green Mountains."
Source: Shearer, Benjamin F. and Barbara S. State
Names, Seals, Flags and Symbols Greenwood Press, Westport, Connecticut - 1994
Shankle, George Earlie, Phd State Names, Flags, Seals, Songs, Birds, Flowers and
Other Symbols H. H. Wilson Company, New York - 1938 (Reprint) |
THE CITIZENS:
People who live in Vermont or who come from Vermont are called Vermonters. |
THE QUARTER:
In a state known for its maple syrup, its maple sugar, and its excellent skiing, is it any wonder that these would
be represented on the state quarter?
Vermont chose to highlight these most important industries by depicting a man tending his sap buckets with Camel's
Hump Mountain in the background. Camel's Hump, one of the highest mountains in the Green Mountain State, is so named
because of its two "humps" reminiscent of the Bactrian Camel of Turkestan and Mongolia... a long way from Vermont!
The design also offers the Vermont State Motto "Freedom and Unity" and the year Vermont entered the Union; 1791.
Vermont was the first state admitted to the Union after the original 13 colonies.
For more on the state commemorative quarters, visit this page.
This 50 State Quarter Map is a great way to collect and display all 50 State Quarters. |
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