On March 4, 1791, Vermont was admitted to the Union as the 14th state. Before statehood, Vermont had been an independent republic for several years, with its own government and constitution. Its admission helped settle boundary disputes with New York and New Hampshire. Bringing Vermont into the Union also showed that the United States could expand peacefully through negotiation. The state’s entry helped balance regional political interests in the early republic. Vermont later became notable for early moves toward anti-slavery policies and progressive social reforms.
