1. In 1853, the Washington Territorial Legislature officially created the University of Washington, making it the oldest public university on the West Coast.
2. On May 21, 1881, the Great Fire swept through downtown Spokane, destroying over 30 blocks and causing millions of dollars in damage. Despite the devastation, the city was soon rebuilt and continued to flourish.
3. In 1904, Washington became the first state to grant women the right to vote in state elections. This landmark decision paved the way for the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote nationwide in 1920.
4. May 21, 1980 marks the day of the Mount St. Helens eruption, which devastated the area around the mountain and killed 57 people. The event was one of the most destructive volcanic eruptions in U.S. history.
5. On May 21, 2000, the Experience Music Project museum opened in Seattle. The museum, founded by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, showcases the history and culture of American popular music, with a focus on the Pacific Northwest.