February

February

February 1, 1895

The red clover became the Vermont state flower. Clover was introduced to Vermont by farmers who used it to feed their animals. 

Vermont State Flower

February 2, 1891

Electricity lights the streets of Newport for the first time. "A village without electric lights ain't much of a village," wrote the Newport newspaper.

And Then There Was Light- Electric Light (PDF)

February 3, 1903

Vermont’s state-wide prohibition of alcohol ended. Towns gained the option to allow alcohol use or not. Towns voted each year on this decision. During the time of prohibition, people could not make, sell, or drink alcohol.

February 4, 1870

Lucy Stone, Julia Ward Howe, and many other famous American heroines spoke at the Women's Suffrage Convention held in Montpelier.

Clarina Howard Nichols, Crusader for Women's Rights (PDF)

February 5, 1887

Vermont's most famous train wreck occurred at White River Junction when the Montreal Express was derailed on the huge bridge that crossed the river. Many people were killed in the fall. More lost their lives as the wooden passenger cars and railroad bridge caught fire and burned.

A Train Wreck, A Song, and a Memory (PDF)

February 7, 1865

Wilson "Snowflake" Bentley was born in Jericho, Vermont. He was the first person to photograph snowflakes and discovered that no two were alike.

Wilson "Snowflake" Bentley

February 12, 1781

Judah Spooner and Tim Green began publishing Vermont's first newspaper, the Vermont Gazette, in Westminster.

All the News That is Fit to Print (PDF)

February 14, 1978

The Vermont state lottery was held for the first time.

Playing the Odds (PDF)

February 17, 1789

Ethan Allen was buried in Burlington. He is famous for leading the Green Mountain Boys to capture Fort Ticonderoga at the start of the Revolutionary War.

February 18, 1791

The U.S. Congress votes unanimously in favor of admitting Vermont to the United States. The date for admission is set for March 4.

Vermont Statehood Document Transcription (PDF)

February 20, 1779

Vermont adopts the first state seal. Ira Allen, Ethan's brother, designed it and Reuben Dean, a printer, carved it.

Vermont State Seal

February 22, 1876

The Second Pavilion Hotel opened next to the Vermont State House in Montpelier, the capital city. It was known as the Third House because so many legislators stayed there. The hotel closed in 1966. In 1970, it was torn down and rebuilt as an office building.

Pavilion Building (video)