Hail, Colorado - 145th Anniversary Of Statehood

August 1 is Colorado Day! On August 1, 1876, President Ulysses S. Grant issued a proclamation admitting Colorado to the Union as the 38th state. Colorado is called the Centennial State because it was admitted on the 100th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Before President Grant’s statehood proclamation at the Denver Convention in 1875, delegates framed a constitution in three languages – English, German, and Spanish. The document was submitted to the male population on July 1, 1876. It was adopted by a nearly three-to- one vote. At that time, Colorado’s estimated population was approximately 39,500. Now, about six million people live in the state.

In 1876, Denver celebrated the new State of Colorado. A colorful parade was staged, followed by a patriotic program in the cottonwood grove beside the South Platte River. In one of the wagons, 37 young women represented the 37 states. Pretty Miss Colorado represented Colorado, the new 38th state.

The Great Seal of our state with the Latin motto Nil Sine Numine, “Nothing without Deity,” became the first emblem in 1877. The other symbols of the flag, flower, tree, bird, song, etc. evolved over many years. As a historian, I wish our state a happy birthday and may our state enjoy many more.