Wyoming Becomes 44th U.S. State
As a passageway to the West, thousands of people passed through Wyoming in the mid-1800s, yet few stayed. It was a site of fierce fighting and legislative firsts long before it became a U.S. state.
Most of Wyoming became part of the U.S. following the 1803 Louisiana Purchase. The rest was acquired in 1845. The large number of settlers traveling through Wyoming to the West alarmed local Native Americans and conflicts erupted intermittently until 1876.
During this time, gold and the construction of the Union Pacific Railroad began to draw settlers to remain in Wyoming. It was made a territory in 1868 and passed the first law allowing women to vote, hold office, and serve on juries the following year. Wyoming celebrated another first in 1872, hosting America’s first National Park – Yellowstone.
By the late 1880s, Wyoming’s leaders were ready to make their territory a state. Their state constitution was controversial in Congress, particularly because it would allow women to vote. Wyoming also had a relatively low population, estimated to be less than the 60,000 minimum required to become a state. In spite of these obstacles, statehood was granted and Wyoming became America’s 44th state on July 10, 1890. Three years later, Wyoming adopted its state seal (pictured on this stamp) which commemorates its history in women’s rights as well as its livestock and mining heritage.
Click here to add this stamp – and its history – to your collection.
Curious about the 1940 date on this stamp. Is it year of issue?
Yes. You can learn more here: https://www.mysticstamp.com/Products/United-States/897/USA/
In my opinion, the most important section of the Northwest Ordinance was the prohibition against slavery. If you were a runaway slave, you knew that getting north of the Ohio River meant freedom.
The year: ‘1940’ on Scott’s Catalogue #897, refers to the number of years since Wyoming has been a state: 1890 – 1940 is 50 years. It also refers to the year the stamp was issued: 1940. My mother was 16 years, and my father 19 or 20 years old.