Unless you really excel at Washington history, you probably
didn't know that this Saturday marks the 160th anniversary of
the creation of Washington Territory. We didn't realize it until
getting a reminder from the Secretary of State's office. And,
among other cool facts they sent, we learned there's actually a
word – tetracentennial – for such a 160th anniversary. Here are
some interesting facts about Washington Territory gathered by
the Secretary of State's office: -- Until 1864, if you wanted to
get divorced in Washington Territory, it required a bill passed
by the Legislature and the governor's signature to make it so.
In 1863, the last year that the Legislature had this authority,
it granted 16 divorces. -- Washington was named as a territory
six years before the Civil War started. -- The oldest health
care corporation is Sisters of Providence, created Jan. 28,
1859. -- The oldest association and oldest existing corporation
is Odd Fellows of Olympia, established Dec. 19, 1855. --
Washington's oldest chur