Population per the 2012 census- 6,897,012
Washington was admitted as the 42nd state on November 11th 1889.
Her motto is "Al-ki or Alki, a Chinook Indian word meaning "bye and bye" or "hope for the future."
The state is known as the “Evergreen” state. It is the only state named after a U.S. president.
In the 2012 election Washington was a ‘Blue’ state. The state had a high rate of voter participation. Let’s work together to turn this state ‘Red’.
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1579 - The Washington coast was sighted by Sir Francis Drake and claimed for England.
1775 - The first known Europeans set foot on Washington State soil.
1790 - While exploring the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Alferez Quimper claims the Pacific Northwest for Spain.
During the late 1780s, Spain and England hotly disputed their respective claims to the Pacific Northwest. In the end, both countries decided the land was not worth an all-out war.
In 1790, Spain and England signed the Treaty of Nootka, affirming England’s claims to the coastal areas of the Pacific Northwest, including present-day Washington.
In 1853, Washington Territory was formed from part of Oregon Territory.
It took The U.S. and Great Britain some twelve years to settle the dispute over the San Juan Islands. The Treaty of Washington allowed the dispute of the Islands to go for international arbitration. The arbitration ended in favor of the United States.
On November 5, 1878, the voters of the Territory of Washington approve a resolution asking the U.S. Congress for admission to statehood. Congress declines. Eleven more years pass before statehood is achieved.
October 1, 1889 to ratify the state constitution and elect the officers of the new state government voters voted 40,152 to 11,879 approve the Washington State Constitution.
A little known fact is that the Washington state constitution submitted to Congress and President Harrison the then Governor Moore forgot to affix his signature. Once rectified on November 11, 1889, U.S. President Benjamin Harrison (1833-1901) signed the bill admitting Washington to the United States.
