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Tag: Washington’s 125th anniversary of statehood

Archives Month celebrates 125 years of WA as a state!

Archives Month celebrates 125 years of WA as a state!

(Image courtesy of Washington State Archives) With the 125th anniversary of Washington reaching statehood just weeks away, our State Archives is getting into a festive mood by using the big birthday celebration as its Archives Month theme – “125 Years of Making History” — this year. “It’s just a natural to tie in Archives Month to Washington’s 125th birthday as a state,” said State Archivist Steve Excell. “Washington has experienced so many historic moments and achievements since 1889, and the…

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A key anniversary for our State Seal

A key anniversary for our State Seal

As state history buffs and many others know, this year marks the 125th anniversary of Washington reaching statehood in 1889. Several key events that year led up to the historic date of November 11 when we became the 42nd state. Among those events happened on August 19 that year when the Constitutional Convention approved one of three designs for the State Seal. The convention members had trouble choosing the motto. They rejected “Our varied industries invite you,” “Westward the star…

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Kickstarter deadline for new exhibit fast approaching

Kickstarter deadline for new exhibit fast approaching

Washington 125 Years of Statehood logo. (Images courtesy of Legacy Washington) A Kickstarter private fundraising deadline is fast approaching for the latest Capitol exhibit — this one devoted to some of the biggest stories of the year of statehood, 1889. This is the 125th anniversary of being admitted to the union. Legacy Washington, a program of the Office of Secretary of State, is gathering funding for the sixth public exhibit in the ornate lobby of the Secretary’s Office on the…

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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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2014 Voters’ Pamphlet Art Contest is on!

2014 Voters’ Pamphlet Art Contest is on!

Here is the winning artwork for the 2013 Voters’ Pamphlet Art Contest.   (Image courtesy of Elections Division) The Office of Secretary of State invites students in grades 4 and 5 to enter the 2014 Voters’ Pamphlet Art Contest. This year’s contest theme is “Happy Birthday, Washington!” to celebrate the 125th anniversary of statehood. Washington was admitted as the 42nd state in the Union by President Benjamin Harrison on November 11, 1889. Over a century later, Washingtonians are known nationwide for…

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