In Recognition of Statehood Day

WHEREAS, on June 1, 1796, Tennessee was admitted to the Union as the sixteenth state of the United States; and

WHEREAS, all across Tennessee, June 1 is celebrated as Statehood Day with historical sites and museums participating in and offering events to educate the public about state history; and

WHEREAS, our region of Northeast Tennessee played an important and influential role in the years

leading up to statehood, with Washington County formed in 1777 as the first county in the region and what would become the first county in the state; and

WHEREAS, Washington County has grown to approximately 130,000 residents with different personalities and backgrounds, yet are united as one through their commitment to live, work, and reside in the first county; and

WHEREAS, the political and judicial center of our county has resided in Jonesborough at the site of the current Washington County Courthouse on Main Street since 1779; and

WHEREAS, many of the political and civic leaders of our county’s past and present have provided major milestones through service to our county, region, state, and nation including Tennessee’s first governor John Sevier; Designer of the Tennessee State Flag Col. LeRoy Reeves; and Designers of the State Seal William and Matthew Atkinson, as well as many others in many categories including music, sports, politics, and literary works; and

WHEREAS, June 1, 2021 will be Tennessee’s 225th Anniversary of statehood, which will be celebrated across the state with planned events and culminating in our county on the evening of June 1 in Jonesborough.

BE IT PROCLAIMED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF

WASHINGTON COUNTY, TENNESSEE, THAT:

We do hereby proclaim June 1, 2021 as STATEHOOD DAY in Washington County, Tennessee and encourage fellow citizens to learn about and celebrate their state and local history.