1. On August 20, 1887, the first issue of the Pendleton East Oregonian was published. The newspaper has covered regional news for over a century and is one of the oldest continuously-published newspapers in the state.
2. In 1918, the Oregon State Park system was established on August 20, when the state legislature passed the bill authorizing the creation of the Parks Department. Today, Oregon boasts over 250 parks.
3. On August 20, 1958, the first weather satellite, the Vanguard 2, was launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida. The satellite was built by HRB-Singer in Bend, Oregon and provided valuable information on cloud cover, temperature, and storms.
4. In 1963, the University of Oregon's Autzen Stadium, named after benefactor Thomas J. Autzen, opened on August 20. The stadium is home to the Oregon Ducks football team and has a seating capacity of over 54,000.
5. On August 20, 1975, the Cascade Volcano Observatory opened in Vancouver, Washington, with the mission to monitor and study volcanic activity in the Pacific Northwest, including Mount St. Helens, which erupted dramatically in 1980. The observatory is now part of the United States Geological Survey.
5 Fun Facts About August 20 In Oregon History
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