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.
Five new states were admitted to the Union while Monroe was in office: 1  Mississippi â December 10, 1817. 2  Illinois â December 3, 1818. 3  Alabama â December 14, 1819. 4  Maine â March 15, 1820. Maine is one of 3 states that were set off from already existing states (Kentucky and West Virginia are the others).