Constitution of Washington

At the same time, an act was passed by the Washington Territorial Legislative Assembly to convene a constitutional convention.

[3] Although never approved by Congress, the 1878 constitution is an important historical document which shows the political thinking of the time.

The elected delegates assembled on July 4, 1889, in the Territorial Capitol Building in Olympia and labored through the summer to draft a constitution that would form the basis for all future Washington laws.

Days went by with no word; finally, on November 4, 1889, a message was received, stating that Governor Moore forgot to sign the Constitution and President Harrison could not approve it.

On November 11, 1889, the President issued a proclamation declaring Washington's Constitution approved, and the state was admitted to the Union.