A Brief History of the State of Wyoming

We are a nation of many states. In fact, when our country was first founded, citizens had more loyalty to their states than to the country as a whole. People were actually willing to go to war to prove their state was the best. For example, Michigan and Ohio went to war over who would be able to claim the port of Toledo

Clearly Ohio lost

The point of this is that Americans always want their things to be the best, including their states. Someone from California is going to say California is the best, some one from Texas is going to say Texas is the best, and someone from New Jersey is going to say New Jersey is the best while secretly keeping an intricate wall of escape routes in their basement.

Yes, every state has its fair share of people who claim it is the best, except perhaps for one: Wyoming. Perhaps because it has the smallest population, or perhaps because people think nothing of any significance or excitement ever happened or will ever happen there, Wyoming has been cast aside, easily forgotten by most people out east. In fact, many people probably get it confused with Colorado!

Long lost twins

However, that is truly not a fair legacy! Sure, Wyoming may have the smallest population in the country. True, there are likely more cattle than people. Yes, it is easier to get elected to the US Senate from Wyoming than the House of Representatives. But Wyoming is a state filled with a rich history. A history which should be remembered. Let's take a look at the history of Wyoming.

 9,000 BC:

The first prehistoric people enter Wyoming from what is now the state of Montana. After their long journey, they are disturbed to learn that Wyoming's expressways don't have any rest areas.

1000:

Wyoming is full of countless Indian tribes; The Lakota, Cheyenne, Arapaho, Bannock, Crow, and many others call the vast rolling plains and mountains of Wyoming home. Like all good tribes, they hunt buffalo, gather fruits and vegetables, and meet every Wednesday at 8/7 central to vote a member off their tribe.

1807:

John Colter, the first white explorer to enter Wyoming (as part of the Lewis and Clark Expedition) discovers the Yellowstone Valley, taking note of the thermal and geyser activity, marveling at the rich lushness of the valley with its clear blue rivers and green, forest filled hills, and wondering why the heck there are a bunch of Japanese people taking pictures of a squirrel in a tree.

1830s:

The Oregon trail brings thousands of people through Wyoming on their way to the Pacific coast. Sadly, many pioneers swamp their wagons when they try to ford the river when they should have caulked the wagon and floated, causing them to lose 5 10lb bags of flour, 3 pounds of bacon, 4 boxes of 20 bullets, and 1 banjo.

Oops.

1867:

The Union Pacific Railroad reaches Wyoming, boosting the population, and creating some of its largest cities, like Cheyenne with a population of 91,000, Laramie with a population of 31,000, and Emblem with a population of 10.

July 25th, 1868:

Wyoming becomes a territory. Residents quickly discuss the possibility of statehood, but are shot down when Washington DC informs them that they need more than 7 people to become a state.

 1869:

Wyoming becomes the first state or territory to allow women to vote in their elections, ending the long held stereotype that only rich, successful men could vote in elections, partially because Wyoming didn't have any of those.

March 1st, 1872:

Yellowstone National Park is created through an act of Congress, hoping to set a an area aside which could be free from the encroachment of all the settlers who were sure to flock to Wyoming. They later admit they may have jumped the gun on that one.

1876:

The Black Hills War is fought on the northeastern boarder, started by Indians who were very unhappy that they wasted two hours of their lives driving miles and miles off the main road to see Devil's Tower, which the Tourism Bureau insisted was one of the most amazing natural features in the world.

Seriously, don't waste your time

July 10th, 1890:

Wyoming is admitted to the Union as the 44th state.

Yay!

May 19th, 1899:

For the first time ever, an average person out east becomes vaguely aware that Wyoming was admitted to the Union as the 44th state.

1924:

Nellie Ross is elected governor, making her the first female governor in the Union. She is beloved and well respected by all the people in Wyoming and.......wait what? She supported prohibition you say!? let's get this lady out of here!

1941-1945:

Wyoming plays a key role in World War II, housing German and Italian POWs as well as many secret airfields. The government is confident that these facilities will be secure partially because why on earth would any spy want to go to Wyoming?

January 20th, 2001:

Former Wyoming Representative Dick Cheney is sworn in as Vice President of the United States, thus fulfilling the dream of every single person from Wyoming: getting the heck out of Wyoming.

July 10th, 2013:

Wyoming celebrates its 123rd birthday. All jokes aside, Wyoming is actually a very great place with a rich history. You ought to check it out for yourself! You may be surprised! And remember, at the end of the day, it isn't New Jersey.

So happy birthday Wyoming. I'll leave you with a picture of a cake large enough to feed your whole state!

Bon Appetite!