1. On March 12, 1853, the Territory of Washington was established by an act of Congress. This marked the beginning of Washington's history as a distinct entity and paved the way for its eventual statehood in 1889.

2. March 12, 1937, was a tragic day in Washington history when the Oso Mudslide struck. The landslide, which occurred near the town of Oso, caused widespread devastation and claimed the lives of 43 people.

3. In 1957, the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) opened its doors for the first time on March 12. The airport has since become a major transportation hub for the Pacific Northwest, serving millions of passengers every year.

4. On March 12, 1992, Seattle's iconic Space Needle was designated a historic landmark by the City of Seattle Landmarks Preservation Board. The Space Needle, which was built for the 1962 World's Fair, has become one of Seattle's most recognizable landmarks and a symbol of the city's innovation and modernity.

5. March 12, 2019, was a significant day in Washington politics when Governor Jay Inslee announced his candidacy for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination. Inslee, who had made climate change a central theme of his gubernatorial tenure, ran on a platform of urgent action on the issue and gained national attention for his efforts.