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Tag: Washington statehood

1889 Great Seattle Fire
From Digital Archives: photos of 1889 Seattle Fire

From Digital Archives: photos of 1889 Seattle Fire

When you ask the historical significance of June 6, most people think of the anniversary of D-Day. But June 6 also marks a horrific event in Seattle history. On that date in 1889, a fire destroyed much of Seattle, which was then a timber town and many years from becoming a world-famous city. Our Legacy Washington program’s exhibit on the year when Washington reached statehood, “Washington 1889: Blazes, Rails and Year of Statehood,” includes a section on the 1889 Great…

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Looking back at WA’s 1889 fall election

Looking back at WA’s 1889 fall election

(Images courtesy of Washington State Archives) Two big dates for Washingtonians are coming up this fall – the statewide General Election that ends Nov. 4 and our 125th birthday as a state on Nov. 11. Since we often like to blog about history or elections, our State Archives staff once again has come through, retrieving two historical documents from this date 125 years ago that bring elections and statehood together. On Oct. 1, 1889, voters chose Washington’s first elected state…

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Next Legacy exhibit using Kickstarter

Next Legacy exhibit using Kickstarter

History fans and supporters of our office have a chance to help fund the next great exhibit about Washington — one that celebrates the year we actually became a state! Our Legacy Washington program has just launched its first Kickstarter Campaign! This goal is to raise funds needed for a new exhibit: “Washington 1889, Blazes, Rails & the Year of Statehood.” The privately funded exhibit, highlighting the major stories of the year Washington achieved statehood, will officially open in our…

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From Digital Archives: 1889 WA constitutional convention begins

From Digital Archives: 1889 WA constitutional convention begins

The mere mention of July 4 automatically conjures up thoughts of barbecues, parades and fireworks, but most importantly America’s Independence Day. Unbeknownst to many, it also marks a key date in the Washington history, 125 years ago. It was on July 4, 1889, when 75 elected delegates assembled in the Territorial Capitol Building in Olympia to draft a state constitution that would form the basis for all future Washington laws.  The delegates worked several weeks before the convention wrapped up…

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November Archives treasure #1: Statehood telegram

November Archives treasure #1: Statehood telegram

Happy belated birthday, Washington! Last Sunday marked The Evergreen State’s 123rd birthday (and a good-looking 123 at that!) It was on Nov. 11, 1889, when Washington joined the Union as the 42nd state.  That was the date when President Benjamin Harrison signed the proclamation declaring Washington a state. Since this was before even phones were around, official word about statehood came in the form of a Western Union telegram sent that day to Washington’s first governor, Elisha P. Ferry. But…

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