State Guide: Chambers of Commerce. As a small business owner in the U.S., it is important to be familiar with your state's chamber of commerce. A chamber of commerce is a local organization of businesses designed to help protect and promote business interests. Some say they are essential to the economic growth of a community. However, if you own a small business, your membership in a chamber of commerce is not mandatory.
Washington became the forty-second state of the United States of America on November 11, 1889. After a hiatus of thirteen years when no new states were admitted to the Union, the United States Congress passed an act enabling the territories of Washington, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Montana to seek statehood.
In 1846, the border between U.S. and British territory was formally established at the 49th parallel â the part of the territory that was given to Britain would ultimately become part of Canada. Oregon was officially admitted to the union as a state on February 14th, 1859.859 1  -. February 14 - Oregon becomes the first state admitted to the Union with an exclusion law written into the state constitution. 2  Propositions of Congress accepted by the State 3 June 1859.  3 Oregon Democrat newspaper begins printing.