1756

1756 - 1763 - The Seven Years War (French and Indian War) due to disputes over land is won by Great Britain. France gives England all French territory east of the Mississippi River, except New Orleans. The Spanish give up east and west Florida to the English in return for Cuba

1774

Juan Perez (1725-1775) commands the first Spanish expedition to explore the Northwest Coast. Perez never went ashore, and so was not able to claim the land for Spain

1775

The Washington coast is sighted by Spanish Captain Don Bruno de Heceta, of the Spanish Royal Navy on board the Santiago. He claims the land for Spain

1775

1775 - 1783: The American Revolution creates the United States of America. The Revolution was due to the British burden of taxes and total power to legislate any laws governing the American colonies

1776

July 4, 1776 - United States Declaration of Independence

1778

July 10, 1778 - France declares war against Britain and makes an alliance with the American revolutionary forces

1778

Explored by Captain James Cook (1728 - 1779) who was in search of a Northwest Passage across North America to Asia

1783

September 3, 1783 - The Treaty of Paris is signed by the victorious United States and the defeated Great Britain

1790

The Spanish Nootka Concession of 1790 opened the northwest territory to explorers and trappers

1792

American explorer Robert Gray (1755-1806), sailing from Boston, Massachusetts names the Columbia River after his ship

1792

British explorer Captain George Vancouver (1758-1798) leads an expedition into the area

1792

Spain establishes the first European settlement in Washington at Neah Bay.

1803

The Louisiana Purchase - In 1803, the United States bought the Louisiana Territory from France. The U.S. Secretary of State, James Madison paid 15 million dollars for the land.

1805

Lewis and Clark enter Washington - Meriwether Lewis (1774-1809) and William Clark (1770- 1838). Female Shoshone Indian guide Sacajawea (1788-1812) acted as interpreter and negotiator

1807

David Thompson (1770-1857) Fur Trader and Mapmaker for the Hudson's Bay and North West Company completes the first formal mapping of the Columbia River.

1812

1812 - 1815 - The War of 1812 between U.S. and Great Britain, ended in a stalemate but confirmed America's Independence

1819

Spain cede their original claims to the territory to the United States. This began a period of disputed joint-occupancy by Britain and the U.S.

1825

The Hudson's Bay Company establishes forts Vancouver and Colvile

1841

United States naval expedition, headed by Charles Wilkes ( 1798-1877 ) explores Washington

1846

Treaty of Oregon between United States and Great Britain sets boundary at 49th parallel

1847

Cayuse Indians attack Whitman Mission in Walla Walla

1848

The Oregon Territory is created and the land is opened up to settlers

1853

The Washington Territory is created

1855

The Yakima Indian War lasts for three years

1855

The Walla Walla Treaty Council

1859

John Brown raided Harpers Ferry and set in motion events that led directly to the outbreak of the Civil War.

1860

Gold is discovered in the Okanogan

1861

1861 - 1865: The American Civil War. outbreak of the Civil War. Abraham Lincoln, a known opponent of slavery, was elected president and in 1861 the South Secedes. The initial Secession of South Carolina was followed by the secession of Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas, Virginia, Arkansas, Tennessee, and North Carolina. These eleven states eventually formed the Confederate States of America. The bombardment of Fort Sumter was the opening engagement of the American Civil War.

1865

The surrender of Robert E. Lee on April 9 1865 signalled the end of the Confederacy

1865

1865 December 6 - The Abolishment of Slavery. The Thirteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is ratified, thus officially abolishing slavery.

1865

The surrender of Robert E. Lee on April 9 1865 signalled the end of the Confederacy

1889

Statehood - The Date that Washington was admitted to the Union - November 11, 1889. Constitution - Washington was the 42nd State to be admitted to the Union. State Motto - " Alki " the State Motto is translated as " Bye and Bye ".

1898

1898-1901 The Spanish American War. On December 10, 1898 the Treaty of Paris the US annexes Puerto Rico, Guam, Philippines.

Washington Timeline

Origin of the name - Named after George Washington, first American President.

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