This week in history

August 14, 1848, Congress created the Oregon Territory, an area that encompassed present-day Oregon, Idaho, Washington and parts of western Montana and Wyoming. The Oregon Territory became a magnet for a diverse group of immigrants. The lands of the Oregon Territory were already home to dozens of native tribes and were unwillingly removed from their ancestorial lands.

In March of 1853, the Washington Territory was created out of the northern section of the Oregon territory. Oregon achieved statehood in 1859 and Washington was admitted into the union in 1889.

Source(s): Library of Congress

Compiled by Bob Valen