Statehood The 14th state Mar. 4, 1791 Captial Montpelier State Motto Freedom and unity Origin of State Name The name is derived from the French words vert and mont, meaning "green" and "mountain." State Nickname The Green Mountain State The nickname refers to Vermont's numerous forested mountains and valleys. Interesting Facts In 1775 Ethan Allen and his Green Mountain Boys won one of the first important American victories of the Revolutionary War by capturing Fort Ticonderoga and Crown Point. Montpelier, with 8247 residents, has the smallest population of any state capital. Woodstock in central Vermont became the site of the nation's first ski tow in 1933.