Today In History
5 Fun Facts About April 11 In Washington History
1. On April 11, 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1968, also known as the Fair Housing Act, into law. This landmark legislation prohibited discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, or national origin. 2. The Tacoma Narrows Bridge, a suspension bridge that connected...
5 Fun Facts About April 10 In Washington History
1. In 1790, President George Washington signed into law a bill establishing the District of Columbia as the capital of the United States. The new federal district was carved from land ceded by Maryland and Virginia. 2. On April 10, 1865, Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered his army to...
5 Fun Facts About April 9 In Washington History
1. In 1865, General Robert E. Lee, commander of the Confederate Army, surrendered to General Ulysses S. Grant, effectively ending the American Civil War. This surrender took place in Appomattox Court House, Virginia, which was under Union control but only about 100 miles from Washington, D.C. 2. In 1963, President...
5 Fun Facts About April 8 In Washington History
1. The Treaty of Neah Bay was signed on April 8, 1855, between the United States government and the Makah Indian Tribe. The treaty established the Makah Indian Reservation and granted the tribe fishing and hunting rights in their traditional territory. 2. On April 8, 1910, the Washington State legislature...
5 Fun Facts About April 7 In Washington History
1. In 1963, the Washington State Board of Education voted to ban prayer and Bible reading in public schools, sparking nationwide controversy and debate over the separation of church and state. 2. In 2008, Washington became the first state in the country to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation and...
5 Fun Facts About April 6 In Washington History
1. In 1862, the Battle of Shiloh began in southwestern Tennessee during the Civil War. Many soldiers from Washington fought in the battle, which resulted in a Union victory. 2. On April 6, 1917, the United States entered World War I. President Woodrow Wilson declared war on Germany, shifting the...
5 Fun Facts About April 5 In Washington History
1. In 1856, the town of Seattle elected its first mayor, J.N. Low. He held the position for just one year, but during his tenure he helped establish the city's first public school and fire department. 2. On April 5, 1924, the city of Bellingham was rocked by a powerful...
5 Fun Facts About April 4 In Washington History
1. The city of Washington, D.C. was established on April 4, 1791. President George Washington selected the site for the new national capital, which was then known as the "Federal City." 2. On April 4, 1850, the Washington Monument Society was founded. The society was created to raise funds for...
5 Fun Facts About April 3 In Washington History
1. In 1946, the Tacoma Narrows Bridge in Washington began to sway and ultimately collapse in what became known as the "Galloping Gertie" disaster. The bridge's collapse was due to resonance caused by strong winds, leading to its destruction and the deaths of several people. 2. In 1888, the famous...
5 Fun Facts About April 2 In Washington History
1) On April 2, 1889, the town of North Yakima was officially incorporated, becoming the future city of Yakima, WA. This city would later become known for its agriculture and outdoor recreational activities. 2) In 1977, the Washington State Capitol Building was added to the National Register of Historic Places....
5 Fun Facts About April 1 In Washington History
1. Washington Statehood: On April 1, 1889, President Benjamin Harrison signed a legislation granting Washington Territory statehood, making it the 42nd state in the union. 2. Seattle Fire: On April 1, 1889, a small fire broke out in a cabinet shop in Seattle. Despite efforts to put out the fire,...
5 Fun Facts About March 31 In Washington History
1. The Washington Monument was officially dedicated on March 31, 1885. The monument is 555 feet tall and took over 40 years to complete. It is now one of the most recognizable landmarks in the nation's capital. 2. On March 31, 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson announced that he would...