Vermont ratifies the Bill of Rights
On this day in history, November 3, 1791, the state of Vermont ratified all twelve amendments to the Bill of Rights that were suggested by Congress. Ten of them would be agreed upon by 2/3rds of the states and would become the Bill of Rights.
Vermont was the 10th state to ratify the Bill of Rights, which would not become law until Virginia ratified them on December 15, 1791, just one month later. With Virginia’s ratification, the required 2/3rd’s majority of the states was met and the 10 amendments became law. Congress originally proposed 12 amendments, but only 10 of them were ratified by enough states.
Vermont ruled itself as a sovereign country for 14 years after it declared independence from Great Britain on January 15, 1777. Note that it was not one of the original thirteen colonies but was in an area called the “New Hampshire Grants.” When Vermont first declared independence from England, it was called the Republic of New Connecticut.
At the time Vermont ratified the Bill of Rights, it was the newest state in the union and the first to become a state after the original thirteen. She was formally welcomed into the United States on March 4, 1791 and adopted the Bill of Rights 9 months later.
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Jack Manning
President General
2019 – 2021
National Society Sons of the American Revolution
“Love your neighbor as yourself and your country more than yourself.”
Thomas Jefferson (1825)
