It's our state's 120th birthday (on Nov. 11); check out this telegram...

 "We are now a state and its name is Washington," the Yakima Herald Republic reported 120 years ago to mark our territory's transition to statehood, which became official on Nov. 11, 1889, at 5:27 p.m.

 "The emancipation from territorial vassalage was received in some giddy cities with the burning of powder, patriotic speeches and champagne for the rich -- whisky and beer for the poor," the paper reported, as shown at the Secretary of State's blog.