1. In 1882, the first territorial penitentiary in Washington State was established in Walla Walla. It was considered to be the most modern and humane prison facility in the United States at the time.

2. On March 24, 1942, the Japanese American Internment began in Washington State with the forced removal of over 9,000 Japanese Americans from their homes and businesses. Many were sent to internment camps across the country.

3. The famous Mount St. Helens erupted on March 24, 1980, causing widespread destruction and the loss of 57 lives. The eruption was the deadliest and most costly in U.S. volcanic history.

4. On March 24, 1999, the state of Washington passed the Health Care Decisions Act, which gave citizens the right to make decisions about their medical care, including end-of-life decisions, and established legal guidelines for health care providers.

5. In 2018, the Washington State Legislature passed the Equal Pay Opportunity Act on March 24, which prohibits pay discrimination based on gender, race, or other protected characteristics. It also requires companies with 15 or more employees to provide wage transparency to their employees.