From Washington To You
First page of the 1889 Washington State Constitution.
Washington Constitution of 1889, page 1. Public domain.

From Washington to you

Washington Statehood, 1889

Olympia · Thurston County · November 11, 1889

President Harrison admitted Washington as the 42nd state on November 11, 1889, the only state named for a president.

On November 11, 1889, President Benjamin Harrison admitted Washington as the 42nd state. The Library of Congress notes that voters had rejected earlier constitutions between 1878 and 1889. Washington entered the Union in the same season as Montana and the Dakotas.

The Library of Congress also notes that Washington is the only state named after a president. A Columbia name was considered and set aside. Olympia became the capital.

The photograph is the first page of the 1889 state constitution. The sources below are the Library of Congress Today in History page and the statehood guide.

  • History

Sources (2)

Last reviewed: September 20, 2026

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