Washington
became the 42nd state to join the Union on November 11, 1889. The state
boasts vast tracts of forested land, and timber production is naturally
one of the state's economic assets. Nicknamed "the Evergreen
State", Washington values its forests for their contribution to both
the economy and to the region's ecosystems. The official state tree, the
western hemlock, can attain towering size and beauty.
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Mount Rainier |
Powerful
rivers run through the state, providing natural habitat for one of
America's best game fish, the steelhead trout. The mighty Columbia River
is home to one of the world's most massive masonry structures, the Grand
Coulee Dam, which provides 30% of the nation's hydroelectric power.
From
the unique temperate rainforests of the west to the apple-producing
orchards of the east, Washington is a state of fantastic natural beauty.
| THE NAME:
You guessed it! The Washington Territory established in 1853 was named to honor the first President of the
United States, George Washington.
Source: Shearer, Benjamin F. and Barbara S.
State
Names, Seals, Flags and Symbols Greenwood Press, Westport, Connecticut - 1994 |
| THE NICKNAMES:
The Evergreen State: (Official) Washington is popularly known as "The Evergreen State."
This nickname, coined by Seattle realtor C.T. Conver and adopted by the state in legislature in 1893,
was given because of the large fir and pine trees in the state. Washington is always green, a color
echoed in the State Flag.
The Green Tree State: This is another nickname referencing the conifer forests of Washington.
The Chinook State: One doesn't hear this nickname too often, but it can be traced back to 1890. This
nickname refers to the Chinook Indians of the state.
Source: Shearer, Benjamin F. and Barbara S. State
Names, Seals, Flags and Symbols Greenwood Press, Westport, Connecticut - 1994
Shankle, George Earlie, Phd State Names, Flags, Seals, Songs, Birds, Flowers and
Other Symbols H. H. Wilson Company, New York - 1938 (Reprint) |
THE CITIZENS:
People who live in Washington or who come from Washington are called Washingtonians. |
THE QUARTER:
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| U.S. Mint Image
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The second commemorative quarter-dollar coin released in 2007 honors Washington, and is the 42nd coin in the United States Mint's 50 State Quarters® Program. Washington, nicknamed the "Evergreen State," was admitted into the Union on November 11, 1889, becoming our Nation's 42nd state. The reverse of Washington's quarter features a king salmon breaching the water in front of majestic Mount Rainier. The coin bears the inscriptions "The Evergreen State," "Washington" and "1889."
Mount Rainier is an active volcano encased in more than 35 square miles of snow and glacial ice. It is the symbolic bridge between the eastern and western parts of the State. The salmon is another important symbol of Washington. It is a traditional image of Pacific Northwest culture, and this fish has provided nourishment for the native peoples of the Pacific Northwest. Newsman and real estate pioneer C.T. Conover nicknamed Washington the "Evergreen State" because of its many lush evergreen forests.
In April 2005, Governor Chris Gregoire established the Washington State Quarter Advisory Commission to help guide the quarter selection process. The Commission requested that residents submit design narratives representing various Washington themes. The Commission received more than 1,500 suggestions and chose five narratives to pass on to the United States Mint. United States Mint sculptor-engravers and artists in the United States Mint's Artistic Infusion Program created the corresponding design images. The residents of Washington participated in a statewide vote in April 2006, in which more than 130,000 votes were cast. On May 4, 2006, Governor Gregoire announced Washington's recommendation at Centennial Elementary School in Olympia, Washington. Governor Gregoire's recommendation, a king salmon breaching the water in front of Mount Rainier, received the majority of votes cast in the statewide poll.
The Department of the Treasury approved the design on June 22, 2006. The two other designs considered during the statewide vote were a design depicting a salmon, Mount Rainier and an apple within an outline of Washington State, and a Northwest Native American-stylized orca.
For more on the state commemorative quarters, visit this page.
This 50 State Quarter Map is a great way to collect and display all 50 State Quarters. |
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