On February 10, 1853, Vermonters were heading to the poles. Vermont was divided over the manufacture and use of alcohol.

The Vermont House squeaked out a 91 to 90 vote banning its manufacture, but put the activation date of the act to a public vote. Two dates were chosen, and if the public voted for the latter of the two dates, it could enable the next legislature to kill the act before it would go into effect.

The public cast 44,000 votes, and the early activation date won by a slim 521 vote margin, or about one and one quarter percent. It was the first time Vermonters voted on when to make an act effective.

The Vermont Book Of Days image.