BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – A Vermonter wins the Nobel Peace Prize on this date in history.
The eyes of the world were focused on this humble homestead in Putney on October 10, 1997. Jody Williams sat barefoot on her front stoop, explaining her efforts to eradicate landmines.
“The campaign, in very close partnership with governments around the world, has stepped outside the normal diplomatic process and moved the world to address a crisis,” said Williams.
In December, Channel 3 News traveled with Williams to Oslo, Norway, where she and the international campaign to ban landmines were jointly presented the Peace Prize.
Also on this day in 1798, a Vermonter was found guilty of violating the Alien and Sedition Acts, which outlawed malicious writing about the American government.
Matthew Lyon had published editorials criticizing President John Adams. Lyon was the first person convicted under the controversial law. He later became the first and only person ever elected to Congress from a prison cell.
