133 years ago on Nov. 18, 1889, hundreds gathered at the portico of the Capitol in Olympia to celebrate Washington’s newly acquired statehood and to view the inauguration of the state’s first governor, Elisha P. Ferry.

More than 3,000 Washingtonians celebrated their new statehood that day, marching in parades and celebrating by “shooting off Roman candles” in the capital city.

One week earlier, President Benjamin Harrison signed the bill admitting Washington to the United States.

Photo and Article courtesy of the Washington State Archives Newsletter Out of the Archives.