1. In 1883, the Northern Pacific Railroad reached Tacoma, Washington, connecting it to the rest of the country by railroad.

2. In 1915, the United States coast guard cutter "Seneca" arrived in Seattle with the last known wild Alaska wolf pup. It was a male pup and was taken to Woodland Park Zoo.

3. In 1938, "The Kettle," an innovative hydroelectric power plant located on the Columbia River, began operating. It was the first of its kind in the world and helped usher in a new era of hydroelectric power production.

4. In 1961, Seattle's Space Needle opened to the public. The iconic tower was built as a centerpiece for the 1962 World's Fair and has become one of the most recognizable landmarks in the United States.

5. In 2013, the State of Washington officially legalized same-sex marriage. This made Washington the ninth state in the country to recognize same-sex marriage and represented a major milestone for LGBTQ rights in the United States.