Full History Of Oregon In Timeline From 1900

1900: Portland Population Boom Begins

Portland's population began to boom significantly in 1900.

1902: Ballot Measures Since 1902

Since 1902, Oregon voters have decided on numerous ballot measures, demonstrating the state's history of direct democracy.

1902: Oregon Pioneers Direct Democracy

In 1902, Oregon became the first state to adopt the initiative and referendum system, allowing citizens to directly introduce or approve laws and constitutional amendments.

1902: Oregon System Introduced

In 1902, Oregon implemented the Oregon System, allowing citizens to directly participate in legislation through initiatives and referendums.

1904: Suggestion in Sunset Magazine

In 1904, Joaquin Miller made a suggestion regarding Oregon in Sunset magazine.

1904: Adoption of Primary Elections

Oregon adopted the primary election system in 1904 to allow voters to select party candidates.

1908: Implementation of Recall of Public Officials

The Oregon Constitution was amended in 1908 to include the power to recall public officials.

1910: Oregon's Congressional Representation Increases

Following the 1910 census, Oregon's representation in the US House of Representatives increased.

1913: Jack London Writes "Valley of the Moon" in Oregon

Jack London wrote his novel "Valley of the Moon" in 1913 while staying at the Wolf Creek Inn State Heritage Site in Oregon.

1930: Gray Wolves Extirpated

Gray wolves were eliminated from Oregon around 1930 but have since returned.

1930: Portland Population Boom Ends

Portland's population boom ended in 1930, having tripled the city's size.

February 10, 1933: Lowest Temperature Recorded

Oregon's lowest recorded temperature of -54 °F (-48 °C) was recorded in Seneca on February 10, 1933.

1933: Bonneville Dam Construction Begins

Construction of the Bonneville Dam on the Columbia River commenced in 1933, marking the start of significant industrial expansion in Oregon.

1937: Bonneville Dam Construction Completed

The construction of the Bonneville Dam was completed in 1937.

1940: Oregon's Congressional Representation Increases

Following the 1940 census, Oregon's representation in the US House of Representatives increased.

1944: Origin of Oregon Name

In 1944, George R. Stewart suggested in American Speech that the name "Oregon" originated from a misspelling of "Ouisiconsink" (Wisconsin) on an early 18th-century French map.

May 5, 1945: Japanese Balloon Bombing

On May 5, 1945, six civilians were killed near Bly, Oregon, by a Japanese balloon bomb, marking the only fatalities on U.S. soil attributed to such an attack during World War II.

1951: Self-Service Gasoline Banned

Self-service gasoline was banned in Oregon in 1951.

1970: Non-Hispanic White Population

In 1970, non-Hispanic Whites comprised 95.8% of Oregon's population.

1971: Oregon Beverage Container Act Passed

The Oregon Beverage Container Act, later known as the Bottle Bill, was passed in 1971.

1972: Bottle Bill Enacted

In 1972, Oregon enacted the Bottle Bill, the first law of its kind in the US, to address litter through a container deposit system.

1973: Oil Crisis Impacts Oregon

The 1973 oil crisis significantly impacted the Pacific Northwest, leading to a substantial shortage in Oregon.

1974: Intel Becomes a Top Employer in Oregon

Intel Corporation has been a major employer in Oregon since 1974, with a significant presence in Hillsboro.

1979: Oregon's "Kicker Law" Enacted

In 1979, Oregon enacted the "kicker law," requiring excess income tax collections beyond a 2% buffer over estimates to be returned to taxpayers.

1980: Oregon's Congressional Representation Increases

Following the 1980 census, Oregon's representation in the US House of Representatives increased to five members.

1980: Mount St. Helens Eruption

The eruption of Mount St. Helens in Washington in 1980 was visible and had some impact on northern Oregon.

1981: Experimentation with Postal Voting Begins

Oregon began experimenting with postal voting in 1981, marking an early step towards its all-mail election system.

1986: Start of Democratic Governors

Oregon voters consistently elected Democratic governors in every election since 1986.

1988: Beginning of Democratic Presidential Streak

Starting in 1988, Oregon voters began consistently supporting Democratic presidential candidates, a trend that has continued for several decades.

1989: Decline in Timber Harvest from Federal Lands in Oregon

Between 1989 and 2011, the amount of timber harvested from federal lands in Oregon decreased significantly, approximately by 90%.

1990: Measure 5 Impacts Oregon Higher Education Funding

The passage of Measure 5 in 1990, limiting property taxes, created challenges for higher education funding in Oregon, leading to budget cuts and a low national ranking in state spending per student.

1993: Oregon Voters Reject Sales Tax

In 1993, Oregon voters decisively rejected a proposed sales tax, marking the ninth time such a measure was defeated.

1994: Physician-Assisted Suicide Legalized

Oregon became the first U.S. state to legalize physician-assisted suicide with the Oregon Death with Dignity Act in 1994.

1994: Oregon Health Plan Established

In 1994, Oregon implemented the Oregon Health Plan, which aimed to provide health care access to most citizens lacking private insurance.

1998: Mandatory Vote-by-Mail Instituted

Oregon became one of the first states to mandate all-mail elections in 1998.

2000: George W. Bush's Electoral Success in Eastern Oregon

In 2000, George W. Bush continued his strong performance in Eastern Oregon, winning every county in that region.

2000: "Kicker Law" Becomes Constitutional Amendment

In 2000, Oregon voters approved Ballot Measure 86, enshrining the "kicker law" in the state constitution and modifying some of its provisions.

2000: Oregon's Population in 2000

In 2000, Oregon's population was recorded as 3,421,399, serving as a baseline for future population projections.

2001: Dot-com Bust Impacts Oregon's Silicon Forest

The dot-com bust of 2001 had a substantial negative effect on Oregon's Silicon Forest, leading to job losses and business closures.

January 2002: Weyerhaeuser Acquires Willamette Industries

In January 2002, Weyerhaeuser acquired Portland-based Willamette Industries, impacting the timber industry in Oregon.

2002: Oregon Pronunciation Advocacy

In 2002, Joey Harrington, after being drafted by the Detroit Lions, promoted the correct pronunciation of Oregon as "or-uh-gun" by distributing stickers.

2002: Oregon Voters Approve Minimum Wage Tied to Inflation

In 2002, Oregon voters approved a ballot measure to link annual increases in the state's minimum wage to changes in the consumer price index (CPI).

2003: Oregon's Economic Ranking in 2003

In 2003, Oregon ranked 28th in the U.S. by GDP and 31st by PCPI.

2004: Presidential and State Elections

In 2004, George W. Bush won every county east of the Cascades, demonstrating the Republican leanings of Eastern Oregon. Democrats won control of the State Senate.

2004: Oregon Voters Ban Same-Sex Marriage and Restrict Land Use

In the 2004 general election, Oregon voters passed ballot measures banning same-sex marriage and implementing restrictions on land use regulations.

2004: Measure 37 and Land Use Laws

Measure 37, passed in 2004, represented a reaction against Oregon's strict land-use laws.

2004: Open Source Development Labs Hires Linus Torvalds

Open Source Development Labs made headlines in 2004 by hiring Linus Torvalds, the creator of the Linux kernel.

2005: Legal Challenge to Death with Dignity Act

In 2005, the Bush administration unsuccessfully challenged Oregon's Death with Dignity Act in the U.S. Supreme Court.

2005: Oregon Tax Revenue and Per Capita Taxes

In 2005, Oregon relied heavily on property and income taxes for revenue due to its low minimum corporate tax. The state had the fifth-highest personal income tax rate in the US, yet ranked 41st in taxes paid per capita, with an average of $1,791.45.

2005: Oregon's Wine Industry Ranking

In 2005, Oregon held the third position among U.S. states in terms of the number of wineries, with a total of 303.

2006: Democrats Gain Control of State Legislature

Democrats achieved full control of the Oregon State Legislature in 2006, winning both the Senate and the House.

2006: Oregon Voters Restrict Eminent Domain and Expand Prescription Drug Coverage

In 2006, Oregon voters approved ballot measures restricting the use of eminent domain and expanding the state's discounted prescription drug program.

2006: Oregon State Beavers Baseball Championship

The Oregon State Beavers won their first of back-to-back College World Series baseball championships in 2006.

2007: Oregon Legislature Increases Higher Education Funding

In 2007, the Oregon Legislature approved funding for the university system exceeding the governor's request, while still limiting tuition increases to 3% annually.

2007: Oregon State Beavers Repeat as Champions, Oregon Ducks Win Cross Country

In 2007, the Oregon State Beavers won their second consecutive College World Series baseball championship, while the University of Oregon Ducks secured the first of back-to-back NCAA men's cross country titles.

2007: Measure 49 Modifies Measure 37

Measure 49, approved in 2007, scaled back some of the provisions of Measure 37, which had relaxed land-use regulations.

2008: Oregon Ducks Win Second Cross Country Title

The University of Oregon Ducks men's cross country team won their second consecutive NCAA championship in 2008.

2008: Oregon Ranks High in "Non-Religious" Residents

The 2008 American Religious Identification Survey indicated that Oregon tied with Nevada for fifth place among U.S. states with the highest percentage of "non-religious" residents, at 24%.

2008: Political Polarization in Oregon

In 2008, Oregon was identified as the most politically polarized state, with both the most liberal and conservative voters. Republican Senator Gordon H. Smith lost his re-election bid despite carrying most counties, highlighting the influence of urban centers like Multnomah County.

2009: Religious Demographics of Oregon (2009 Gallup Poll)

A 2009 Gallup poll showed that 69% of Oregonians identified as Christian. Details about specific denominations and other religious groups were also part of the poll.

2009: Foreign-Born Residents

As of 2009, Oregon had 361,393 foreign-born residents.

2009: Gallup Poll Ranks Oregon Among Least Religious States

In 2009, a Gallup poll identified Oregon, along with Vermont, as one of the two "least religious" states in the United States.

2009: Democratic Senators

Since 2009, Oregon has been represented by two Democratic U.S. Senators, Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley.

2010: 2010 Census

The 2010 census served as a baseline for measuring population change in the 2020 census.

2010: Providence Park Renovation

Providence Park, home to the Portland Timbers, underwent renovations in fall 2010, becoming a soccer-specific stadium.

2010: Second Most Popular Moving Destination

Oregon was the second most popular moving destination in 2010.

2010: Genentech and Facebook Establish Presence in Oregon

In 2010, Genentech opened a major facility in Hillsboro, and Facebook built a datacenter near Prineville, Oregon.

2010: Oregon Initiative 71 Changes Legislative Schedule

Oregon Initiative 71, passed in 2010, mandated the state legislature to meet annually: 160 days in odd-numbered years and 35 days in even-numbered years.

2010: Largest Christian Denominations in Oregon (2010)

Data from 2010 revealed the largest Christian denominations in Oregon by number of adherents, including the Roman Catholic Church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and the Assemblies of God.

2010: Oregon High School Graduation Rate

Based on the 2010 US Census data, Oregon's high school graduation rate was approximately 90.5%, exceeding the national average of 88.3%.

2011: Amazon Opens Datacenter in Oregon

Amazon established a datacenter near Boardman, Oregon in 2011.

2011: End of Timber Harvest Decline Period

By 2011, the period of decline in timber harvested from federal lands in Oregon, which began in 1989, had concluded.

2011: Oregon's Softwood Lumber Production in 2011

Despite a decline, Oregon maintained its leading position in U.S. softwood lumber production in 2011, producing 4,134 million board feet.

2011: Minority Children

In 2011, 38.7% of children under one year old in Oregon belonged to minority groups.

2011: Portland Trail Blazers

Until 2011, the Portland Trail Blazers were the only major professional sports team in Oregon.

2012: Barack Obama's Victory

Incumbent President Barack Obama won Oregon by a significant margin in the 2012 election, receiving over 54% of the popular vote.

2012: Second Most Popular Moving Destination

Oregon was the second most popular moving destination in 2012.

2012: Oregon's GDP and PCPI Growth from 2012 to 2013

Oregon's GDP saw a 2.7% increase from 2012 to 2013, while its PCPI increased by 1.5% during the same period.

2013: Portland Thorns FC Inaugural Season

The Portland Thorns FC, a women's soccer team, began playing in the National Women's Soccer League in 2013, winning the league championship in their first season.

2013: Top Moving Destination

Oregon was the top moving destination in 2013.

2013: Oregon Public School Enrollment and Districts

During the 2013-2014 school year, Oregon's public schools had 567,000 students across 197 districts, served by 19 education service districts.

2013: Oregon's GDP and PCPI in 2013

In 2013, Oregon's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was $219.6 billion, and its per capita personal income (PCPI) was $39,848.

2013: Moose Population in Wallowa Valley

As of 2013, the Wallowa Valley moose herd in Oregon numbered around 60.

2013: Number of Wineries in Oregon in 2013

As of 2013, Oregon had a total of 595 wineries.

November 4, 2014: Recreational Marijuana Legalized

On November 4, 2014, Oregon legalized recreational marijuana, becoming the second state to legalize gay marriage, physician-assisted suicide, and recreational marijuana.

2014: Oregon Public School Enrollment and Districts

During the 2013-2014 school year, Oregon's public schools had 567,000 students across 197 districts, served by 19 education service districts.

2014: Growth of Wineries in Oregon

In 2014, 71 new wineries opened in Oregon, bringing the total to 676, a 12% increase from 2013.

2014: Oregon University Rankings and Enrollment

In 2014, Oregon State University had the largest fall enrollment among Oregon's public universities, while Portland State University had the second largest. UO was the most selective and highest nationally ranked.

2014: Top Moving Destination

Oregon was the nation's top moving destination in 2014.

2015: Oregon's Median Household Income in 2015

As of 2015, Oregon's median household income was $60,834, ranking 17th highest in the U.S.

2015: Gubernatorial Transition

Following Governor John Kitzhaber's resignation in 2015 amid allegations, Secretary of State Kate Brown became governor.

2015: Ranking of Reed College

In 2015, Reed College, a liberal arts college in Portland, was ranked 52nd best college in the country by Forbes.

2015: Oregon Companies in the Fortune 1000

In 2015, seven Oregon-based companies were listed in the Fortune 1000.

September 2016: Oregon's Unemployment Rate and Food Stamp Usage

In September 2016, Oregon's unemployment rate was 5.5%, compared to the national rate of 5.0%. Oregon also had the third highest food stamp usage in the nation, with 21% of the population utilizing the program.

2016: Hillary Clinton's Win in Oregon

Hillary Clinton carried Oregon in the 2016 presidential election, winning by 11 percentage points.

2016: Blueberry Production in the Willamette Valley

In 2016, the Willamette Valley in Oregon produced over 100 million pounds of blueberries.

2016: Largest School Districts in Oregon

In 2016, the largest school districts in Oregon were Portland Public Schools, Salem-Keizer School District, Beaverton School District, Hillsboro School District, and North Clackamas School District.

2016: Kate Brown's Special Election Victory

Kate Brown secured her position as governor by winning a special election in 2016.

2016: Hispanic or Latino Origin

Data from the 2016 American Community Survey provided further breakdown within the Hispanic or Latino population in Oregon.

2017: Oregon's Biennial State Budget

Oregon's state budget for 2017, a biennial budget, totaled $2.6 billion.

2017: Second Championship for Portland Thorns FC

The Portland Thorns FC won their second NWSL championship in 2017.

2018: Oregon State Beavers' Third Baseball Championship

The Oregon State Beavers claimed their third College World Series baseball championship in 2018.

2018: Kate Brown Wins Full Term

Kate Brown was elected to a full four-year term as Oregon's governor in 2018.

2018: Top Countries of Origin

In 2018, Mexico, Vietnam, China, India, and the Philippines were the top countries of origin for Oregon immigrants.

2018: Oregon Implements Bicycle Tax

In 2018, Oregon introduced a $15 excise tax on new bicycles priced over $200, becoming the only US state with such a tax.

2018: Health Insurance Market Share in Oregon

As of 2018, Cambia Health Solutions held the largest market share in Oregon's health insurance market at 21%, followed by Providence Health. Kaiser Permanente led in the Portland region.

2018: Amazon Opens Fulfillment Center in Oregon

Amazon opened a fulfillment center in Troutdale, Oregon in 2018.

May 8, 2019: Oregon Educator Protests

On May 8, 2019, educators across Oregon protested for smaller class sizes, increased support staff, and the reinstatement of arts, music, and physical education programs. The protests led to the closure of around 600 schools in two dozen districts.

2020: Non-Hispanic White Population Decline

The percentage of non-Hispanic Whites in Oregon's population decreased to 71.7% in 2020.

2020: 2020 Census Demographics

The 2020 census provided demographic data on Oregon, including gender, age, and race.

2020: Racial and Ethnic Composition

The 2020 census detailed the racial and ethnic composition of Oregon's population.

2020: 2020 Census

The 2020 U.S. census recorded Oregon's population as 4,237,256, a 10.60% increase from 2010.

2020: Oregon Legalizes Psilocybin for Medicinal Use

In 2020, Oregon became the first US state to legalize psilocybin for medicinal purposes.

2020: Oregon Decriminalizes Small Amounts of Street Drugs

In 2020, Oregon became the first US state to decriminalize possession of small amounts of certain street drugs like cocaine and heroin.

2020: Oregon Gains Sixth Congressional Seat

Following the 2020 census, Oregon gained a sixth seat in the US House of Representatives.

2020: Increase in Electoral Votes

Following the 2020 U.S. census, Oregon's Electoral College votes increased from seven to eight due to the addition of a congressional seat.

2020: Ease of Voting

A 2020 study recognized Oregon as the easiest state for citizens to vote in.

June 29, 2021: Highest Temperature Tied

Oregon's highest recorded temperature of 119 °F (48 °C) was tied at Pelton Dam on June 29, 2021.

2021: Minor League Baseball Reorganization

The 2021 Minor League Baseball reorganization affected teams in Oregon, with the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes not being included in the restructured league.

June 30, 2022: Emerald Ash Borer Infestation Discovered in Oregon

On June 30, 2022, the first emerald ash borer infestation in Western North America was identified in Forest Grove, Oregon.

2022: Gubernatorial Election

Tina Kotek, a Democrat, won the 2022 Oregon gubernatorial election, defeating Republican Christine Drazan and Independent Betsy Johnson.

2022: Homeless Population Estimate

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development estimated 17,959 homeless people in Oregon in 2022.

2022: Oregon's Sixth Congressional Seat Filled

Oregon's sixth congressional seat, gained after the 2020 census, was filled during the 2022 Congressional Elections.

2022: Religious Self-Identification Data

Data on religious self-identification in Oregon was published in the PRRI American Values Atlas in 2022.

August 2023: Self-Service Gasoline Legalized

The ban on self-service gasoline in Oregon was lifted in August 2023, although not all gas stations are required to offer it.

2023: Congressional Representation

As of 2023, Oregon's representation in the U.S. House of Representatives consisted of four Democrats and two Republicans.

2024: Oregon Partially Reverses Drug Decriminalization

In 2024, Governor Kotek signed a bill partially reversing the 2020 decriminalization of certain street drugs, while also increasing funding for drug treatment.

2024: Oregon's Electoral Votes for 2024

Oregon will have eight electoral votes in the 2024 presidential election.

2030: Projected Population Growth in Oregon

The U.S. Census Bureau projected Oregon's population to reach 4,833,918 by 2030, a substantial increase from the 2000 population.

2040: Oregon's Projected Population in 2040

The state's projections estimated Oregon's population to reach 5,425,408 by 2040.

History of Oregon in Timeline