1. In 1917, the Washington State House of Representatives passed legislation prohibiting discrimination in employment based on race, making Washington one of the first states in the nation to do so.

2. On June 11, 1927, Washington state's Mount St. Helens erupted for the first time in recorded history, spewing ash and steam into the air and creating a new crater at the mountain's summit. The volcano would erupt multiple times over the next century, culminating in a catastrophic eruption in 1980.

3. In 1955, the Washington State Liquor Control Board announced a crackdown on the sale of fake and fraudulent liquors in the state. The Board cited concerns over health and safety and emphasized the need for consumers to be able to trust the products they were purchasing.

4. On June 11, 1963, President John F. Kennedy addressed a crowd of more than 300,000 people at the University of Washington in Seattle. Kennedy discussed issues including civil rights, education, and the need for international cooperation.

5. In 1978, the state of Washington became the first in the nation to establish a comprehensive recycling program, with a mandate to reduce the amount of waste generated in the state by 50% by 1995. Today, the state is a leader in recycling and composting efforts.