1. In 1792, President George Washington laid the cornerstone for the Executive Mansion, which would later become known as the White House, in Washington D.C.

2. In 1852, the University of Washington, known at the time as the Territorial University of Washington, was founded in Seattle.

3. In 1918, the first case of the Spanish flu was reported in Washington state, triggering a devastating pandemic that would kill millions worldwide.

4. In 1968, Washington D.C. hosted the Olympic Trials for track and field, with legendary athletes like Jim Ryun and Bob Beamon competing for a spot on the U.S. team.

5. In 2019, Washington became the first state to offer a public option for health insurance, allowing residents to buy into a state-sponsored plan as an alternative to private insurance.