Washington - The history of our forty-second state
The state of Washington was named after the first and one of the greatest presidents of the United States. The region of the Pacific Coast where Washington is located was inhabited by established tribes of Native Americans prior to the arrival of explorers from Europe. The first European record of a landing on the coast was by Spanish Captain Don Bruno de Heceta in 1775, on board the Santiago. They claimed all the coastal lands up to the Russian possessions in the north for Spain.
In 1778, British explorer Captain James Cook sighted Cape Flattery, at the entrance to the Strait of Juan de Fuca, but the straits would not be explored until 1789, by Captain Charles W. Barkley. Further explorations of the straits were performed by Spanish explorers Manuel Quimper in 1790 and Francisco de Eliza in 1791, then by British Captain George Vancouver in 1792.
The Spanish Nootka Convention of 1790 opened the northwest territory to explorers and trappers from other nations, most notably Britain and then the United States. Captain Robert Gray (for whom Grays Harbor county is named) discovered the mouth of the Columbia River. He named the river after his ship, the Columbia. Beginning in 1792, Gray established the trade of sea otter pelts. The Lewis and Clark expedition entered the state on October 10, 1805.
In 1819, Spain ceded their original claims to this territory to the United States. This began a period of disputes over occupancy with Britain and the United States that lasted until June 15, 1846, when Britain ceded their claims to this land with the Treaty of Oregon.
Because of the migration along the Oregon Trail, many settlers wandered north to what is now Washington and settled the Puget Sound area. The first settlement was New Market (now known as Tumwater) in 1846. In 1853, Washington Territory was formed from part of Oregon Territory. Washington became the forty-second state in the United States on November 11, 1889.
Some cities of interest in the state are Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma, Vancouver, Walla Walla, and Olympia. Seattle is the largest city in Washington and offers many attractions and things to do.
Located in the center of the city is the Space Needle. This futuristic structure debuted in 1962 at the Seattle World’s Fair. Take an elevator to the top and enjoy a spectacular view from the observation deck. Washington also offers museums of all kinds, wineries and tours, golf, outdoor activities, lighthouse tours and much more. You can also visit historical sights such as battlefields, theaters, churches and other structures.
To find out more about Washington, including its history, government, college and education institutions, and other general information, do some research online. You can also find out more about travel to Washington for family vacations by comparing travel packages online or through a travel agent.