This week’s block is Washington
(what an interesting block, never seen one like it, it was easy to make)
Here’s some info about the Evergreen state
Entered Union (rank): Nov. 11, 1889 (42)
The state of Washington is the only state to be named after a United States president.
Seattle is home to the first revolving restaurant in the 48 contiguous United States (and the second revolving restaurant in the world). Located atop the Space Needle, at a height of 500 feet above sea level, the restaurant was opened in 1961.
Washington state produces more apples than any other state in the union.
Lunar Rover, the vehicle used by astronauts on the moon; Boeing, in Seattle, makes aircraft and spacecraft.
Everett is the site of the world’s largest building, Boeing’s final assembly plant
Medina is the home of the United States wealthiest man, Microsoft’s Bill Gates.
Microsoft Corporation is located in Redmond.
Before it became a state, the territory was called Columbia (named after the Columbia River). When it was granted statehood, the name was changed to Washington, supposedly so people wouldn’t confuse it with The District of Columbia.
Washington’s state insect is the Green Darner Dragonfly.
The world’s first soft-serve ice cream machine was located in an Olympia Dairy Queen.
Starbucks, the biggest coffee chain in the world was founded in Seattle.
Residents are called “Washingtonians” (emphasis on the third syllable, pronounced as tone).
The Lewis and Clark expedition entered the state on October 10, 1805.
In 1853, Washington Territory was formed from part of Oregon Territory.
By the turn of the 20th century, Aberdeen had the distinction of being “the roughest town west of the Mississippi” because of excessive gambling, violence, extreme drug use and prostitution (the city remained off-limits to military personnel into the early 1980s).
The region around eastern Puget Sound developed heavy industry during World War I and World War II, and the Boeing company became an established icon in the area.
During the Great Depression, a series of hydroelectric dams were constructed along the Columbia river as part of a project to increase the production of electricity. This culminated in 1941 with the completion of the Grand Coulee Dam, the largest dam in the United States.
During World War II, Seattle was the point of departure for many soldiers in the Pacific, a number of which were quartered at Golden Gardens Park.
In eastern Washington the Hanford Works atomic energy plant was opened in 1943 and played a major role in the construction of the nation’s atomic bombs.
In 1980, the northeast face of Mount St. Helens exploded outward, destroying a large part of the top of the volcano.
Washington is home to many innovative Internet companies, including Amazon.com, Classmates.com, Whitepages.com, and Marchex.
The state of Washington is one of only seven states that does not levy a personal income tax.
Property tax was the first tax levied in the state of Washington and its collection accounts for about 30 percent of Washington’s total state and local revenue.
In 2004 Washington ranked first in the nation in production of red raspberries (90.0% of total U.S. production), hops (75.0%), apples (58.1%), sweet cherries (47.3%), pears (42.6%), Concord grapes (39.3%), and Niagara grapes (31.6%).
United Airlines was originally owned by the Boeing Airplane Company.
Popular games Pictionary, Pickle-ball, and Cranium were all invented in Washington.