Lit tle known or interesting history facts.

Inspired by the vocabulary thread,,,

For some reason I started getting a history email every day.  I found this today:

Not everyone wanted to be part of the United States when the Revolutionary War broke out. Vermont, for instance, declared itself an independent republic from 1777 to 1791, due in part to ongoing disputes with neighboring New York, which claimed the land as its own. The future Green Mountain State adopted its own constitution and operated as a de facto independent country. After briefly being called New Connecticut, the region eventually settled on the name State of Vermont, but was also known as the Vermont Republic. In addition to having its own currency and postal service, Vermont also abolished slavery on July 2, 1777 — the first American colony to do so. (Vermont at one point toyed with the idea of joining the Province of Quebec in the early 1780s before ultimately deciding against it.)

Though the Vermont Republic wasn’t officially recognized by the U.S., it was largely left to its own devices. No less an authority than George Washington advised against military action in 1783, in part because the country was “very mountainous” and its citizens were “a hardy race, composed of that kind of people who are best calculated for soldiers.” Vermont eventually settled its differences with New York and voted to ratify the U.S. Constitution in 1791, officially joining the new nation.

WOW -- Very cool.!!!!

I had no idea....?? 

WOW -- Very cool.!!!!

I had no idea....?? 

Me either. I found George Washington's assessment of the Vermont people interesting.  And it was a smart move to let them be.  Also glad we did not lose Bernie to Canada...lol.

WOW -- Very cool.!!!!

I had no idea....?? 

Me either. I found George Washington's assessment of the Vermont people interesting.  And it was a smart move to let them be.  Also glad we did not lose Bernie to Canada...lol.

  --- A Canadian Bernie..???  Now that would be just ..... too ... uh, something.!!!

Here is an interesting (and GROSS..) bit of history. I bet very few folks know this little "factoid".!!

King Henry VII had attendants specifically to help him go to the bathroom.



While this intimate courtier position developed over centuries, it was in the reign of King Henry VII of England that it became an official position of great honor. Henry VII had four "Grooms of the King's Stool" which assisted him in his most necessary task. These men monitored his bowel movements, checking them and reporting their results to the Royal Doctor. They supplied the king with a bowl, water, and a towel, and even assisted him in cleaning up after the fact.

Though it certainly doesn't sound like a job anyone in their right mind would strive for, the position meant these courtiers were privy to royal secrets. These attendants had quite a bit of court power, and the ones that served King Henry VII were all eventually knighted. This practiced continued until 1901.