Did you know that Washington Was it the first and only state to include the portrait of a historical figure on its flag? Although Washington was one of the last states initiated into the Union, their flag is the only one to also include a green background. Washington is known for its beautiful landscapes, national parks, agriculture and climate. Additionally, the biodiversity within the state attracts tourists from all over. Learn about the symbolism behind Washington’s flag and other features that make the state unique.
Washington Foundation
Following the creation of the Oregon Territory in 1848, the people of the region above the Columbia River desired to establish their own territory. The new part of the Pacific Northwest was named “Columbia Territory”, which distinguished it from the old Oregon Territory. Later, the Columbia Territory was renamed “Washington Territory”. The new name honored George Washington, who was a famous Revolutionary War military leader and the first President of the United States.
President Glover Cleveland originally set Washington State’s initiation date on George Washington’s birthday, February 22.n/a. However, the state was not introduced into the Union until November of the same year. Eventually, however, Washington was founded on November 11, 1889 and launched as 42n/a state of the union.
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Features of Washington
Washington is a state located in the Pacific Northwest part of the United States. Washington borders the states of Idaho and Oregon and the Pacific Ocean. The capital of Washington is Olympia. While Washington is known nationwide for its rainy weather, not all parts of the state receive an abundance of rain. For example, the eastern part of the state is much drier than the western coast.
Although Washington is far to the north of the United States, it is not as cold as some might assume. In January, Seattle, Washington has average temperatures of around 40°F. In July, temperatures are around 60°F. Be that as it may, Seattle doesn’t know the extremes of summer or winter. On the east side of Washington, summer temperatures can range from 70ºF to 100ºF. In January, temperatures are usually between 20°F and 30°F. Washington’s precipitation on the Pacific coast amounts to about 150 inches annually. East Washington doesn’t experience as much precipitation as the coast, receiving about 17 inches annually.
Washington includes many major cities such as Seattle and Tacoma. The state also has a large agricultural presence, which produces wheat, livestock, and other types of crops. Washington is also known for its beautiful landscapes and unique topography. Some topographical features include the Cascade Range, the Olympic Mountains and Mount St. Helena. Mountain. St. Helena is a active volcano which erupted in 1980 and killed 57 people. Although the losses were devastating, the eruption of Mt. St. Helens has led to many scientific and technological advances that would aim to protect citizens from volcanic activity in the future.
Washington is also famous for its plant and animal life. More than half of the state is covered in vast and dense forests. Some trees that can be seen in Washington include western red cedar, hemlock, and ponderosa pine. In drier, unforested areas, plants such as sagebrush and other shrubs are prevalent. Animal life in Washington consists of many unique mammals like elkbear, cougars, and mountain goats. Fish like trout and sturgeon swim in freshwater bodies across the state. On the other hand, whales can be found near the San Juan Islands in the upper northwest part of the state.
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Washington Fun Facts
An interesting aspect of Washington’s history is that the national Father’s Day holiday originated in the state. A Washington resident named Sonora Smart Dodd wanted to celebrate her father, who fought in the Civil War and was a single father of six. Dodd was the first person to introduce the idea of Father’s Day in 1910. Although Father’s Day was not recognized as a national holiday until 1972, Dodd left a legacy that would be enjoyed by families throughout across the United States for decades.
In the year 1700, a earthquake struck off Washington. As a result, a tsunami threatened to drown the Washington coast. The tsunami was about 33 feet tall and continued to collide with from Japan coast. The waves near the island of Japan were between 6 and 10 feet.
Many famous personalities and companies have come from Washington State. For example, the prominent coffee company Starbucks started in this state. Additionally, Microsoft creator Bill Gates was born and lived in Washington. Jimi Hendrix, famous electric guitarist and singer, was born in Seattle and became one of the most influential and well-known figures in music.
Washington includes one of the largest buildings in the world by area, which measures 472 million cubic feet. This building houses The Boeing Everett factory, which produces two-aisle aircraft. The building itself spans nearly 100 acres of land. In addition, the factory attracts many tourists every year. It is estimated that more than 100,000 people visit the Boeing factory each year.
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History and Symbolism of the Flag of Washington
Although Washington became a state in 1889, Washington did not adopt an official flag until 1923. During the period when Washington did not have an official flag, many different designs of Washington flags were circulating, and there were little agreement on the model that represented the state. . However, each flag design included a portrait of George Washington. This portrait was usually defined by the state seal, which was later included on Washington’s official flag.
In 1914 the Daughters of the American Revolution requested the creation of an official flag for the state of Washington. They wanted the Washington Capitol to have a flag on display. On March 5, 1923, a flag was approved to represent the state. The Washington State Seal, which was introduced in 1889 by Charles Talcott and his brother, was included on the flag.
The Washington flag features a green background with a circular seal in its center. The seal contains a yellow border edged in black. In the center of the seal is an illustration of George Washington, for whom the state was named. Inside the yellow border appears the phrase “The Seal of the State of Washington” and the year 1889, which represents the year Washington was founded.
The Washington flag is the only state flag that depicts a historical figure or a president. Similarly, Washington is the only state named after a President of the United States. Additionally, Washington is the only state flag that includes a green colored background. Some interpretations of Washington’s flag include a yellow fringe that mirrors the yellow border around the seal.
The Washington flag’s green background symbolizes Washington’s beautiful natural scene, including its evergreen trees and fields. The green also represents the commitment of the people of Washington to protect the nature that surrounds them and the lands they provide. The gold-yellow border of the seal represents wheat, which is important in eastern Washington agriculture. The illustration of George Washington symbolizes that of the first president of the United States, considered a founder and an influencer of the beginnings of the American nation.
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Other symbols of Washington
Besides the flag, Washington has other state symbols to represent its people’s pride in Washington’s natural scene and agriculture. Some Washington state symbols are listed below, including the state flower, bird, fruit, and folk song:
- coastal rhododendron
- Apple
- western hemlock
- willow goldfinch
- orca
- “Ride, Columbia, ride”
- “Washington, My Home”
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