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|date=November 11, 1889 (42nd)

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'''Washington''', often referred to as Washington State, was the forty-second state to enter into the Union, on Nov. 11, 1889. The state is named after the first elected president [[George Washington]]. Its capital is [[Olympia]], and its largest city is [[Seattle]].  It is located at the northwest corner of the 48 contiguous states.

'''Washington''', often referred to as Washington State, was the forty-second state to enter into the Union, on Nov. 11, 1889. The state is named after the first president [[George Washington]]. Its capital is [[Olympia]], and its largest city is [[Seattle]].  It is located at the extreme northwest corner of the 48 contiguous American states.

== Geography ==

== Geography ==

==Politics==

==Politics==

   

   

Christine Gregiore won the 2004 election to become Washington's govenor.[http://archives.seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/texis.cgi/web/vortex/display?slug=webguvrace30&date=20041230&query=2004+election+Rossi+results]

The 2004 election created controversy due to a virtual tie between candidates Dino Rossi and Christine Gregoire. Rossi won both the original election and the first recount, but the second recount gave the election to Christine Gregoire by a mere 129 votes.[http://archives.seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/texis.cgi/web/vortex/display?slug=webguvrace30&date=20041230&query=2004+election+Rossi+results]

Since 2007, Washington has legalized [[domestic partnership]]s, also known as[[same sex marriage]].<ref>[http://www.answers.com/topic/domestic-partnership-in-the-united-states Answers.com]</ref>

Since 2007, Washington has offered [[domestic partnership]]s, which are similar to [[same sex marriage]].<ref>[http://www.answers.com/topic/domestic-partnership-in-the-united-states Answers.com]</ref>

==Notable people from Washington==

==Notable people from Washington==

*[[Kurt Cobain]], lead singer of the influential grunge band [[Nirvana (Band)|Nirvana]], was from Aberdeen.

*[[Kurt Cobain]], lead singer of the influential grunge band [[Nirvana (Band)|Nirvana]], was from Aberdeen.

*[[Bill Gates]], co-founder of [[Microsoft]] and the world's richest man as of 2007, lives in Medina.

*[[Bill Gates]], co-founder of [[Microsoft]] and the world's richest man as of 2007, lives in Medina.

*[[Paul Allen]], co-founder of [[Microsoft]]  

*[[Paul Allen]], co-founder of [[Microsoft]] and despoiler of skylines.[http://www.emplive.org/]

*[[Jimi Hendrix]], an influential rock guitarist of the late 1960s, was born in Seattle.

*[[Jimi Hendrix]], an influential rock guitarist of the late 1960s, was born in Seattle.

*[[Gary Larson]], cartoonist known for his strip ''The Far Side'', was born in Tacoma.

*[[Gary Larson]], cartoonist known for his strip ''The Far Side'', was born in Tacoma.

*[[Bill Nye]], engineer best known for his children's television series ''Bill Nye the Science Guy'', studied at Washington State University in Pullman.

*[[Bill Nye]], engineer best known for his children's television series ''Bill Nye the Science Guy'', studied at Washington State University in Pullman.

*[[Chief Sealth]], a Native American leader who forcibly converted to [[Roman Catholicism]], lent his name to the city of Seattle.

*[[Chief Sealth]], a Native American leader who converted to [[Roman Catholicism]], lent his name to the city of Seattle.

*[[John Stockton]], the all-time [[NBA]] leader in assists and steals, was born and raised in Spokane.

*[[John Stockton]], the all-time [[NBA]] leader in assists and steals, was born and raised in Spokane.

*[[Ted Bundy]]

*[[Ted Bundy]], serial killer, grew up in Tacoma and attended University of Washington.

*[[Gary Ridgeway]]

*[[Gary Ridgeway]], serial killer.

==References==

==References==