Having established themselves firmly on the new continent, the New England states began competing in a landgrab for the unincorporated territories. New Hampshire granted lands that were also claimed by New York and Connecticut, and while no fighting broke out over the territories, an armed militia headed by local hero Ethan Allen embarked on a campaign of intimidation to drive the prospectors out. Having gained the territories to themselves, Allen and local residents declared independence both from England and from New York, calling their new state New Connecticut.

On this day, January 16, 1777, a day after declaring independence, the same convention that declared independence of the Republic  New Connecticut officially asked recognition from Congress.

Six months would pass before the name would change to Vermont, a name taken from French les verts monts – green mountains. Around the same time, Vermont adopted the first written constitution in North America, establishing freedom for slaves and enfranchisement for all, not just property-holding white males.