National Oregon Day celebrates the 33rd state of the United States of America on March 8 every year. The day celebrates the history, nature, and people of Oregon, all of which are incredibly diverse. Oregon has been inhabited for over 15,000 years. Evidence of settlements have been found along the Columbia River, and by the 1500s, there were a number of Native American groups that had settled in the area.
Exploration led to discovering and making note of the land and its people as early as the 16th century. Over the 1700s and 1800s, the European powers fought over possession of the land until the state of Oregon was formed and became part of the United States of America.
The first Europeans in Oregon were probably of Spanish descent, and in fact, the name Oregon itself is likely of Spanish origin. During the 1700s and 1800s other Europeans like the French Canadians and Scots arrived, and some even began to settle down on the land. French Canadians have left a lasting impression on the state, with many names of places like Malheur River and Grande Ronde being of French origin.
Slavery has been a major part of Oregon's history and statehood, with the debates raging over whether the state was to be considered a free state or not. Oregon banned slavery within its borders but required all Black Americans to leave the state. This exclusionary practice was upheld with strict punishment and a big part of the debate to determine Oregon statehood. Eventually, when Oregon was admitted as the 33rd state of the United States, it was admitted as a free state.
