Browsed by
Tag: Washington Constitution

Happy Constitution Day!

Happy Constitution Day!

(Photos courtesy of Washington State Archives) It doesn’t receive nearly as much attention as Independence Day. It doesn’t offer an excuse to have a barbecue and shoot off fireworks. But Sept. 17 is a very important date in American history. It’s the date when the United States Constitution was signed by 39 delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787. Go here to learn more about the U.S. Constitution, including a closer look at the delegates and the issues…

Read More Read More

Need list of proposed constitutional amendments? We got it

Need list of proposed constitutional amendments? We got it

You’d be hard-pressed to find a year when there hasn’t been at least one legislative proposal introduced in Olympia to amend the Washington Constitution. Most of these measures, known as House or Senate joint resolutions, fail to receive the full Legislature’s approval and thus be placed before Washington voters. But there are years when such a measure gets the necessary two-thirds vote in both houses, giving Washington voters the final say on whether to change our state constitution. If you’re…

Read More Read More

Time to vote on Archives treasures

Time to vote on Archives treasures

With “voting season” now underway, here is a chance to vote on something else while you ponder what’s on your General Election ballot. It’s time to vote on the October edition of Archives treasures, which features three interesting, rare or just plain cool items found in our State Archives. Now, let’s meet the three candidates: 1)    Photos of Gov. Evans’ successful climb of Mount Rainier in 1965.  2)    Photos from the 1962 Columbus Day Storm, which is regarded as the…

Read More Read More

Archives displaying state constitutions Sept. 19

Archives displaying state constitutions Sept. 19

We all know that July 4 is a VERY important date in American history since it’s our nation’s  birthday, and a great excuse for a summer barbecue and fireworks . But did you know that Sept. 17 also is a key date in history? On that date in 1787, the United States Constitution was signed by 39 delegates at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia after a long, hot summer spent proposing, debating, refining and finalizing what is our nation’s most…

Read More Read More

May Archives treasure #1: Washington Constitution, 1878

May Archives treasure #1: Washington Constitution, 1878

(Image courtesy of Washington State Archives) State history buffs know that Washington officially joined the Union as the 42nd state on Nov. 11, 1889. But did you know there was an ongoing effort for many years to persuade Congress to make Washington a state? In fact, Washington Territory voters approved a constitution on Nov. 5, 1878. The State Archives has the original of that document, and it’s the first “contestant” for the May version of the Archives “treasures” online poll….

Read More Read More