On Nov. 11, 1889, at 3:09 p.m., representatives and citizens in the territory of Washington received the telegram they had been waiting for: that President Benjamin Harrison had signed the proclamation admitting the Washington Territory into the union as the 42nd state in the United States of America.

The Metropolitan King County Council celebrated the state’s quasquicentennial (125th) birthday by proclaiming Nov. 11, 2014 as Washington State’s 125th Anniversary Celebration Day.

“We live in such a wonderful and beautiful state. The state is a leader in many ways and home to nearly seven million people as well as many companies,” said Councilmember Kathy Lambert, the sponsor of the proclamation. “How different things are today as compared to 125 years ago when only men were allowed to vote to approve our state constitution. I look forward to the next 125 years.”

“A State that began with a telegram has, in the last 125 years, made the world smaller and more accessible with aircraft, more interlinked with cellular technology and more innovative with software, e-commerce and high tech advances,” Council Vice Chair Jane Hague said. “It is only appropriate that we celebrate these and other accomplishments via social media. Join me in wishing Washington a happy birthday via Twitter at 3:09 p.m. on Nov. 11.”

The proclamation signed by Harrison ended an odyssey that began when the Oregon Territory — which included what would become the state of Washington — became part of the United States in 1846. The Washington Territory split from the Oregon Territory in 1853 and started working on going from a territory to a state — which occurred on Nov. 11, 1889.

In recognition of the date and time, all Washington citizens are encouraged to tweet “Happy Birthday Washington #WA125” at the exact time in celebration of the state’s birthday.