How Washington State Got Its Name
by Jeanette Bennett
(Pasco, Washington STATE)
When the Oregon Territory split, the northern half wanted to name itself Columbia after the Columbia River running through it. Congress squelched that idea, saying the new territory would be confused with the District of Columbia. Instead Congress named it after our first president, George Washington. So now we have to say Washington STATE so we aren't confused with the District of Columbia. (I don't think the boys in Washington, D.C. thought this one through.)
Admin Note: To learn more about Washington State trivia, you might enjoy this book from Amazon...
Washington Trivia Revised Edition
There is also a DVD/Book set from the History Channel that tells how states got their shapes that you might enjoy...
How the States got their Shapes
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