1. In 1888, Congress passed the River and Harbor Act, which included funding for the construction of a canal between Lake Washington and Lake Union in Seattle. This marked a major milestone in the development of the city's waterway infrastructure.

2. On June 13, 1927, a fire broke out in downtown Olympia, destroying several businesses and buildings. The city's fire department responded quickly to contain the blaze, but not before significant damage was done to the area.

3. In 1935, the Grand Coulee Dam in central Washington began producing electricity for the first time. The dam, which remains one of the largest created by the U.S. government, has played a vital role in the region's economy and energy production capabilities.

4. On June 13, 1949, Seattle's iconic Space Needle was approved for construction by the city's design commission. The tower, which was built for the 1962 World's Fair, remains a popular tourist destination and symbol of the city.

5. In 1968, Washington Senator Henry M. Jackson announced his candidacy for president of the United States. Though he ultimately lost the Democratic nomination to Hubert Humphrey, Jackson's legacy as a champion of environmentalism and civil rights continues to be celebrated in Washington and beyond.