Washington state turns 120 on November 11, 2009

November 10, 9:11 PMSeattle History ExaminerBenjamin Lukoff

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Telegram announcing Washington statehood
Via Washington Secretary of State's office

Via the Seattle PostGlobe — Washington state turns 120 on November 11, 2009, and the blog of the Office of the Secretary of State has posted a copy of the telegram to Governor Elisha P. Ferry announcing the fact, as well as a clipping from the Yakima Herald of November 14.

Yakima Herald story on Washington statehood
Via Washington Secretary of State's office

The text of the telegram and story appear below. (By the way, it appears the telegram was delivered collect, with a charge of 61¢.)

The president signed the proclamation declaring Washington to be a state in the union at five o'clock and twenty seven minutes this afternoon — James G. Blaine

We are now a state and our name is Washington, with the abbreviation of Wash. The transition took place at 5:27 o'clock Monday afternoon, November 11, 1889. The emancipation from territorial vassalage was received in some giddy cities with the burning of powder, patriotic speeches and champagne for the rich — whisky and beer for the poor. Here in dignified Yakima we smiled a smile of satisfaction and moved along the even tenor of our way, building three story brick business blocks, handsome residences and projecting new and greater enterprises for the coming year.