🍎 WASHINGTON Day 2026 – May 10

🇺🇸 WASHINGTON Day ORIGIN & HISTORY

While there’s no official state day recognized at the federal level in the US, however, many cities have designated their own special days to celebrate the anniversary of Washington’s statehood. Washington was admitted to the Union as the 42nd state on November 11, 1889, and since then, various local communities and organizations in Washington have celebrated the state’s anniversary with events and festivities. WASHINGTON Day is celebrated on the 10th Day in May.

Washington State was named after George Washington, the first President of the United States. The land that is now Washington State was originally inhabited by numerous Native American tribes, including the Chinook, Duwamish, and Yakima. European explorers and fur traders, including the Spanish, British, and Russians began to arrive in the region during the 1700s.

In 1792, Captain George Vancouver claimed the region for Britain, and in 1818, the United States and Britain signed the Treaty of Joint Occupation, which allowed both countries to occupy the region. In 1846, the Oregon Treaty was signed, and the United States gained control of the region south of the 49th parallel, including what is now Washington State.

In 1853, Washington Territory was created, encompassing what is now Washington, Idaho, and parts of Montana and Wyoming. The territory was named after George Washington and was established to provide a more organized system of government for settlers in the region. In 1889, Washington was admitted to the United States as the 42nd state.

Since becoming a state, Washington has grown rapidly and become an important economic and cultural hub in the Pacific Northwest region. The state has a diverse economy, with major industries including technology, aerospace, agriculture, and forestry. Washington is also home to numerous national parks, forests, and other natural attractions, making it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and tourists.

WASHINGTON STATE Motto

“Al-ki”
(bye and bye, I will see you again, future of hope, or eventually)
Translated from the Chinook Native American language

LEARN all about the State of WASHINGTON

BARRY THE BALD EAGLE & ROCKER GOLDIE THE AMERICAN GOLDFINCH

WASHINGTON: FROM THE AIR

TOP PLACES TO VISIT IN WASHINGTON

FIVE Fun Facts you never knew about WASHINGTON Day

1. The state’s official flag features a portrait of George Washington, the first President of the United States and the state’s namesake.
2. The state’s nickname, “The Evergreen State,” is due to the abundant evergreen forests in the area.
3. Washington is the only state named after a US president.
4. The Washington State Ferries system is the largest ferry system in the nation and the second-largest in the world.
5. Seattle is the largest city in the state of Washington and is known for its iconic Space Needle, Pike Place Market, and the birthplace of Starbucks.

Famous PEOPLE also born on May 10th

• Frederick “Fred Astaire” Austerlitz

  American dancer, singer, and actor best known for his roles in classic Hollywood musicals such as “Top Hat” and “Swing Time”. He’s also widely viewed as the “greatest popular music dancer of all time”! Born 1889.

  FRED ASTAIRE Quote

  “The higher up you go, the more mistakes you are allowed. Right at the top, if you make enough of them, it’s considered to be your style.”

• David O Selznick

  American film producer best known for producing the classic movies “Gone with the Wind” and “Rebecca”. Born 1902.

  DAVID O SELZNICK Quote

  “The success of a production depends on the attention paid to detail.”

Future DATES for WASHINGTON Day

Year	Date	Day of the Week
2023	May 10	Wednesday
2024	May 10	Friday
2025	May 10	Saturday
2026	May 10	Sunday
2027	May 10	Monday

🍎 State of Washington FAQ

WHEN is WASHINGTON Day?

• WASHINGTON Day is an annual celebration held on May 10th each year.

What are the must-see tourist ATTRACTIONS in Washington?

• Some of the more popular tourist attractions in Washington include Seattle with its iconic Space Needle & Pike Place Market, Mount Rainier National Park, Olympic National Park, North Cascades National Park, and Spokane. Other popular destinations include the San Juan Islands in Puget Sound, and Leavenworth, a Bavarian-style village in the Cascade Mountains.

What is Washington KNOWN for?

• WA is known for its natural beauty, particularly its stunning views of Mount Rainier and the Olympic Mountains. It’s the largest producer of apples in the US and has a thriving coffee culture with Starbucks & Seattle’s Best. Washington is also home to major tech companies like Microsoft, Nintendo, and Amazon, as well as a significant presence in the aerospace industry, with Boeing being one of the state’s largest employers located in Everett. Washington has a vibrant music scene, producing successful musicians like Nirvana and Jimi Hendrix, and outdoor recreation is also popular, with many opportunities for hiking, skiing, boating, and fishing.

What’s the WEATHER like in Washington?

• Washington State has a varied climate due to its diverse landscapes. In general, the western part of the state, including Seattle, has a mild marine climate with cool, wet winters and mild summers. Eastern Washington has a semi-arid continental climate with hot summers and cold winters. Washington is also known for its rainy weather, particularly in the winter months.

What are Washington’s STATE SYMBOLS?

• Some of the more commonly seen state symbols of the State of Washington include:

• The State Bird of Washington is the Willow or American Goldfinch.
• The State Song of Washington is “Washington, My Home”.
• The State Flower of Washington is the Coast or Pacific Rhododendron.
• The State Fruit of Washington is the Apple.
• The State Insect of Washington is the Green Darner Dragonfly.
• The State Vegetable of Washington is the Walla Walla Sweet Onion.
• The State Tree of Washington is the Western Hemlock.

Explore WASHINGTON Tourism!

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