Browsed by
Tag: statehood

Justice Alexander: ‘Washington’s march to statehood’

Justice Alexander: ‘Washington’s march to statehood’

Former Chief Justice Gerry Alexander points to an image of the 1889 telegram announcing President Harrison had signed the proclamation declaring that Washington had become a state. (Photos courtesy of Laura Mott) Former Chief Justice Gerry Alexander’s distinguished career in law and the court system has spanned nearly half a century, making him one the the state’s best-known jurists in state history.  On Tuesday, he delighted a Capitol audience with another of his passions — state and local history —…

Read More Read More

Inauguration Day 1889

Inauguration Day 1889

Photo courtesy of Washington State Archives Today marks the anniversary of the inauguration of Washington State’s very first governor, Elisha P. Ferry. The ceremony took place November 18, 1889, at the Territorial Capitol building. Washingtonians celebrated their new statehood on that day in Olympia, as more than 3,000 citizens marched in parades and watched Ferry take the oath of office. The inauguration took place exactly one week after President Benjamin Harrison’s November 11 proclamation that declared Washington to be the…

Read More Read More

You don’t look a day over 100…

You don’t look a day over 100…

This Wednesday marks a special moment in our state’s history: Washington’s 120th birthday. On November 11, 1889, Washington joined the Union as the 42nd state, just three days following Montana’s admission and nine days after North Dakota and South Dakota officially became states. The State Archives has the Western Union telegram (above) to the state’s first governor, Elisha P. Ferry, announcing that President Benjamin Harrison signed the proclamation declaring Washington a state.