The state of Washington launched a yearlong celebration of its centennial Friday with a re-enactment of the original Statehood Day on the steps of the state Capitol.
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A messenger on horseback delivered to Gov. Booth Gardner a copy of the proclamation sent by President Benjamin Harrison to Washington's first governor, Elisha P. Ferry, declaring the Washington Territory the 42nd state in the union.The original proclamation was sent collect by telegram, at a cost of 61 cents, on Nov. 11, 1889.