On November 11, 1989, Washington state will celebrate the one-hundredth anniversary of Washington's admission to the United States of America and the adoption of Washington state's Constitution. In 1987 Washington state will join the other forty-nine states in celebrating the two-hundredth anniversary of the United States Constitution. In 1992 Washington will celebrate the bicentennial of the maritime explorations of Captains Robert Gray and George Vancouver respectively and the sesquicentennial of Captain Charles Wilkes' expedition.

The 1989 Washington centennial commission is the agency charged with the development of comprehensive programs for commemoration and celebration of these important and memorable events.

The commission consists of twenty-five members. Seventeen of the members serve as citizen members, appointed by and serving at the pleasure of the governor. The chairperson is appointed by the governor from among the citizen members. Four members are appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, and four members are appointed by the president of the senate.

The commission establishes plans, sets overall program policies and appoints the commission's executive secretary.

The commission's major purpose and goal is to develop programs which will encourage the active participation of all interested communities and citizens, and be representative of the contributions of all peoples and cultures to Washington's history as a state. The programs will include special events, cultural and historical programs and displays, publications, and scholarly projects, and a variety of similar programs. The commission is particularly desirous of ensuring programs and projects with enduring value.