NATIONAL DAYSTATES & DESTINATIONS

National Washington Day

National Washington Day is a day to pause, remember, and thank the people whose service made our ordinary days possible.

MAY10

Monday, May 10Every year on May 10

days to go

Roots: Recognizes the 42nd state, admitted November 11, 1889
Vibe: Reflective and educational, fostering appreciation for history
Also on May 10: World Migratory Bird Day · Mother’s Day · Clean Up Your Room Day
Hashtag: #NationalWashingtonDay

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Ways to celebrate

Small, doable ways to celebrate National Washington Day.

Send a note to someone who has served.
Attend a local ceremony or observance if there is one.
Fly a flag properly, or don't fly one you can't maintain.
Donate to a veterans' service organization.
Teach a kid one piece of local history they don't know yet.

Make it your kind of celebration

Family
Watch a documentary or read a local history piece together and discuss it.
Kids
Help them write a short thank-you card to a veteran or service member.
Couples
Attend a local ceremony or observance together.
Office
Host a moment of recognition — a short announcement, a card circulated, a donation drive.
School
Invite a local veteran to speak, or visit a nearby historic site.
Community
Volunteer with an organization that serves veterans and their families.
Just me
Read one first-person account by someone who served. Let it sit.

Plan ahead

National Washington Day is observed on May 10 every year. Here is where it lands for the next ten years, handy for planners, marketers and party people.

2026Sun, May 10this year

2027Mon, May 10

2028Wed, May 10

2029Thu, May 10

2030Fri, May 10

2031Sat, May 10

2032Mon, May 10

2033Tue, May 10

2034Wed, May 10

2035Thu, May 10

2036Sat, May 10

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Fast facts

Washington became the 42nd state on November 11, 1889

The only U.S. state named for a president

The story

National Washington Day, celebrated on May 10 each year, recognizes the Evergreen State, Washington. The only state named for a U.S. president, Washington became the 42nd state on November 11, 1889, after President Benjamin Harrison signed legislation that added four new states to the nation in a ten-day span. Volcanic Cascade peaks, ancient temperate rainforests, and a wild Pacific coastline make it one of the most visually striking corners of the country.

Read the full story

Washington's history is filled with battles for possession over land, some between countries, others between individuals. The near-war over San Juan Island in 1859 started over the death of a pig: a disputed boundary, a potato-rooting English boar, and an eager settler. It is remembered today as the Pig War. From timber and fishing roots, the state transformed into a global technology hub while retaining its essential character.

Today, visitors and residents celebrate the state's natural wonders and unique heritage. Olympic National Park holds some of the quietest places in the United States, One Square Inch of Silence, marked by a single red stone along the Hoh River Trail, helps preserve naturally silent spaces on Earth. From whale watching along the Pacific to city life in Seattle, there is plenty to see and do in every corner of the state.

Celebrating National Washington Day is an opportunity to explore the Evergreen State's forests, mountains, and coastlines, and to support local businesses that keep its economy thriving. Whether through a hike in the Cascades, a ferry ride on Puget Sound, or a stroll through Pike Place Market, this day celebrates a state where volcanoes, rainforests, glaciers, and ocean all coexist.

Did you know?

The 42nd State

Washington joined the Union as the 42nd state on November 11, 1889.

The Pig War

The 1859 standoff over a dead pig on San Juan Island nearly sparked a war.

Only State Named for a President

Washington is the only U.S. state named for a president.

One Square Inch of Silence

A red stone along the Hoh River Trail marks one of the quietest spots on Earth.

Evergreen State

The nickname reflects the state's vast evergreen forests.

Four States in Ten Days

President Benjamin Harrison added four states to the Union in ten days in 1889.

Volcanic Peaks

The Cascades include active volcanoes such as Mount St. Helens and Mount Rainier.

Around the world

Every culture celebrates a little differently.

USUnited StatesThe Evergreen State is celebrated nationwide on May 10.
GBUnited KingdomWashington's tech hubs, from Seattle to Spokane, drive global innovation.
CACanadaVisitors cross the northern border to explore the Cascades and San Juan Islands.
AUAustraliaThe state's wine country and farm-to-table food scene draw visitors from around the world.
DEGermanyInternational travelers come for the rainforests, volcanoes, and the Pacific coast.
FRFranceFrom the Hoh Rainforest to the Palouse, the scenery stops travelers cold.