Oregon became the 33rd state of the United States on February 14, 1859. The process of Oregon becoming a state began in the early 1840s, when American settlers began to arrive in the region in large numbers. These settlers were drawn to Oregon by its fertile land, mild climate, and abundant natural resources.
In 1843, the United States and Great Britain agreed to divide the Oregon Territory along the 49th parallel. This agreement gave the United States control over the northern part of the Oregon Territory, which included present-day Oregon, Washington, and Idaho.
In 1848, the Oregon Territory was organized as a U.S. territory. This meant that the territory had its own government, but it was still not a state. The people of Oregon began to petition Congress for statehood in the early 1850s.
Congress passed the Oregon Statehood Act on February 14, 1859. This act admitted Oregon into the Union as the 33rd state. The act also set the boundaries of Oregon, which are the same as they are today.
When Oregon Became a State
Oregon became a state on February 14, 1859.
