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Category: Just for Fun

Countdown to the November 8th Day of Jubilation – Part 3

Countdown to the November 8th Day of Jubilation – Part 3

In 1871, Daniel Bigelow brought before the Territorial Legislature a bill granting women’s suffrage.  However,  the Legislature rejected the bill by enacting a law which declared that women could not vote until the U.S. Congress made it the law of the land.  (Dave Hastings alluded to this in his comment on my previous post.)  Here is what they said: “Hereafter no female shall have the right of ballot at any poll or election precinct in this Territory until the Congress of the United…

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From Your Corner of Washington: North Fork Palouse River

From Your Corner of Washington: North Fork Palouse River

The North Fork Palouse River seen from the McDonald Farm. Photo submitted by Patrick McDonald We invite you to e-mail your photos and stories to us as part of an ongoing feature called “From Your Corner of Washington” – we want to gather images of landscapes, homes, views, and personal narratives from all over the state. Q) How do I submit a photo or story to be used in “From Your Corner of  Washington”? A) Please send your text or image…

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Countdown to the November 8th Day of Jubilation -Part 2

Countdown to the November 8th Day of Jubilation -Part 2

In October of 1871, prominent national suffrage advocate Susan B. Anthony traveled to Washington Territory and became the first woman to address the Washington Territorial Legislature.  Anthony and Oregon suffragist Abigail Scott Duniway toured Washington Territory to promote women’s suffrage, spurring the creation of Suffrage Associations throughout the area.  Fast-forward to 2010, and plans are in the works to celebrate the 139th anniversary of Susan B. Anthony’s history-making visit this October in Olympia.  Stay tuned for more details!

Votes for Women! Suffragists on Parade

Votes for Women! Suffragists on Parade

On Saturday the 17th, the 51-year-old Lakefair Parade in Olympia was host to a particularly special feature this year.  On a perfectly sunny afternoon (which rarely seems to happen on Lakefair Parade day!), over 50 suffragists marched north on Capitol Boulevard in a dapper celebration of the Washington women’s suffrage centennial.  Clad in lacy whites and huge hats, the suffragists led the way through the streets, proudly carrying signs displaying suffrage sayings, such as “They Showed Us It Could Be Done,” “Hurrah for the Suffragettes,” and “Taxation Without…

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Countdown to the November 8th Day of Jubilation -Part 1

Countdown to the November 8th Day of Jubilation -Part 1

November 8th, 2010 – the centennial anniversary of women’s suffrage in Washington – is fast approaching!  In order to keep everyone up to speed on the upcoming celebration – or jubilation – we are writing a series of 19 blog posts with information about the suffrage movement in Washington.  Do you have ancestors who were part of Washington’s women’s suffrage movement?  Tell us your stories!  The year was 1854.  Arthur A. Denny, a member of the first Washington Territorial Legislature, introduced an…

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Ahh….Summer’s Finally Here!

Ahh….Summer’s Finally Here!

Photograph courtesy of the Washington State Digital Archives With temperatures soaring to the mid 90s today and Thursday, there’s no better way to cool off than to dip into a lake, swim down a river or jump across the waves of the Pacific Ocean.  Washington offers us so many places to play and enjoy the summertime heat.  Pictured above are teenagers surf bathing off Crescent Beach in Washington sometime between 1955 and 1965.

Didyaknow…?

Didyaknow…?

…the fountain graced on the Capitol grounds, is a replica of the Tivoli fountain in Copenhagen, Denmark.  It was first dedicated in 1953 and has undergone multiple renovations over the years. Photograph by Nita Brown Every minute, 600 gallons of water circulates through hundreds of jets to create a beautiful display of waterworks.  The jet in the center of the fountain can hit 25 feet alone!  The fountain shuts down 5 months out of the year to winterize the pipes but…

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Happy Father’s Day!

Happy Father’s Day!

A father with children fishing on Lake Washington during the 1950s. Photograph courtesy of the Washington State Archives. There are a wide selection of photos to choose from in our State Digital Archives collection and best of all, they’re free!

Didyaknow…?

Didyaknow…?

…This year commemorates 100 years since the first Father’s Day.  It all began June 13, 1910 when Sonora Smart Dodd, from Spokane, Washington attended church and heard about a holiday honoring mothers.  She thought fatherhood should be honored as well and have their own special day too. It wasn’t until 1966 when President Lyndon Johnson made it official, proclaiming the third Sunday in June as Father’s Day. Today, Father’s Day is celebrated world wide in at least 55 countries on the…

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