1. On December 28, 1846, Iowa became the 29th state to join the Union. Washington played a significant role in the process of Iowa's admission as a state because President James K. Polk signed the Iowa Territory Bill, creating the territory out of land that formerly belonged to the Washington Territory.

2. December 28, 1853, is a significant date in Washington's history because the Washington Territory was officially created by the United States Congress. At the time, the territory included the land that is now Oregon, Washington, and parts of Idaho and Montana.

3. The Great Northern Railway completed its transcontinental line to Seattle on December 28, 1893. This event opened up the Pacific Northwest to trade and commerce and played a significant role in the region's economic growth.

4. On December 28, 1918, the SS Governor descended into a dense fog and run aground on rocks just off the coast of Cape Flattery, Washington. The ship was carrying hundreds of passengers and crew members, and 17 people lost their lives in the crash.

5. December 28, 1983, marked the end of an era in Washington sports when the Seattle SuperSonics retired the jersey of NBA legend Jack Sikma. Sikma played for the SuperSonics from 1977-1986 and helped lead the team to their first and only NBA championship in 1979.