Just found this, and had to share: "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."
I knew that Vermont was the first state to outlaw slavery, but I didn't know that the "Georgia legislature" had said this about Vermont. Must research as to whether the entire Georgia legislature spoke in one voice, or if it was promoted by one member and ratified by the rest, or most of the rest.
That Vermont had declared war on Germany before the rest of the US, I also did not know. Was that the First or Second World War, or both?
Here's where I found it, on [netstate.com]
There were more vermonters -per capita fighting in the Civel war than any other state they also had more killed per capita
I have heard that, but went looking online for corroboration and couldn't find it. I may have to see if its in one of Howard Coffin's books, and see where he got his info.
Was a VT resident back when Bernie was mayor of Burlington. Awesome state. Never wanted to leave.
Montana's U.S. Congresswoman (first in nation) had the distinction of voting against America entering both WWI and WWII. It wasn't a popular move but, damn, if we didn't admire her conviction.
Her name currently escapes me... but I have read about her. Much admiration!
@ailurophile Jeanette Rankin.
@Otterpop Thanks. I remembered in the middle-of-the-night.
Here are the state who have not yet ratified the ERA:
The 15 states that did not ratify the Equal Rights Amendment before the 1982 deadline were Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Utah, and Virginia.
There's Georgia right in the middle.
Illinois became the 37th state to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment this week. The ERA was overwhelmingly passed by Congress in 1972 - a guarantee that all rights apply to all citizens regardless of their sex. But the ERA needs to be ratified by three-quarters of the states to become part of the Constitution.
Problem is - the time allocated in the Amendment resolution has elapsed, so the IL and any subsequent ratifications are moot.