The Lewis and Clark Expedition entered the state of Washington on October 10, 1805, when trying to find a passage to the Pacific Ocean.

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In 1853, Washington Territory was formed from part of the Oregon Territory.  The Washington Territory extended east of the Columbia River to the crest of the Rocky Mountains.  It included parts of Idaho and Montana, as we know today.

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The State of Washington was founded on November 11, 1889.  It was named Washington in honor of George Washington, the first president of the United States of America.  Washington is the only state named after a president.