Washington State 60's-90's

In the beginning of the 60's in 1962 Seattle Washington held one of the famous world fairs. The world fair lasted from April to October and had close to 10 million visitors. President John F Kennedy made an address to the opening of the world fair in Seattle. In President Kennedy’s speech he touched on the facts that they were trying to keep the space age theme. The world fair held lots of entertainment, display, and was very historical. The symbol of the 1962 Seattle world fair was the well-known Seattle Space Needle. Building of the space needle started on April 17 1961 and opened on the opening day of the world fair April 12th 1962. The space needle is 605 feet and built to withstand high winds and earthquake. The space needle will always be an important and historical structure in Seattle.

Seattle Space Needle poster



Seattle Worlds Fair 1962

In 1976 Dixy Lee Ray became washingtons first female govenor in 1976.

Dixy Lee Ray

On may 18th 1980 Mt. Saint Helens in Skamania Washington erupted. A 5.1 magnatude earthquake led to a valcanic eruption. The valcanic eruption effected most people in state and some out of state. Debris from the eruption practically shut down most the state effecting people all over.



Mt. Saint Helens erupting

Washington through the 40's and 50's

In 1939-1945 the production of nuclear weapons was taking place at the Hanford power plant. The nuclear site was top secret made by the government. We were producing the atomic bomb to drop on Japan in retaliation to japans bombing of Pearl Harbor in December 1941. After we produced the proper nuclear weapon we dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima in Japan. The war between USA and Japan lasted for a long time but eventually Japan stepped down.

Mushroom clouds over Nagasaki and Hiroshima

In 1954 the first flight of the Boeing 707 set off and the first jet transportation. Boeing was well known for producing WWII planes but after WWII they started making transportation planes.

First flight of the Boeing 707

Boom & Bust In Washington

During the end of the 20s/beginning of 30s Washington state really started feeling the effects of the depression. The well-known "hoovervilles" were popping up in all of Washington's major city's. In 1932 in Olympia Washington there was a march of unemployment ending in argument between rival organizations. Things were still looking bad in 1933 when Washington States unemployment rose above 25 percent. That same year President Roosevelt began the new deal programs and dams started being built.

"March of unemployment" Olympia Washington

Bonneville dam was a major dam built in result of the new deal. Although the Dams location is in Bonneville Oregon (right on the border of Washington and Oregon) the dam did effect Washington greatly. Dam production started in 1934. The Dam created many jobs in relief of the depression. Most of the workers made 50 cents an hour working non-stop eight hour shifts. Dam completion was in 1937. Bonneville Dam still runs today.

Bonneville Dam

Progressive Era In Washington State

Washington State through the progressive era had many state changeing events. Washington women fought for sufferge over a 50 year span but finally recieved rights in 1910. Susan B. Anthony viseted Olympia Washington to help campaigne womans rights in Washington state.

Diary entry from Susan B.Anthony pertaining to her Washinton visit.

Another important event was in 1917 Fort Lewis was established in Pierce county Washinton. Fort Lewis aided in world war one.

Historical statue located at Fort Lewis WA