History of Wyoming in Timeline
Wyoming, located in the Mountain West region of the US, is the tenth largest state by area but the least populous with 576,851 residents (2020). Its capital and largest city is Cheyenne. Known for its low population density, it's bordered by Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska, Idaho, Utah, and Colorado.
July 12, 1900: Highest Temperature Recorded
Wyoming experienced its highest temperature on record, a scorching 114 degrees Fahrenheit (46 degrees Celsius), in Basin on July 12, 1900.
1924: First Female Governor Elected
Wyoming achieved a historic milestone in 1924 by becoming the first state to elect a woman as governor, Nellie Tayloe Ross.
January 1925: Nellie Tayloe Ross Becomes Governor
Nellie Tayloe Ross assumed the governorship of Wyoming in January 1925, marking the first instance of a woman holding the position in the United States.
1925: Nellie Tayloe Ross Becomes First Woman Governor
Nellie Tayloe Ross became the first woman governor in US history in 1925 after winning a special election in Wyoming.
1927: Nellie Tayloe Ross's Gubernatorial Term Ends
Nellie Tayloe Ross finished her term as governor of Wyoming in 1927.
1930: County License Plate System
Wyoming implemented a system in 1930 where the number on a license plate corresponds to the county of registration. These numbers were determined based on the relative property values of the counties at the time.
February 9, 1933: Lowest Temperature Recorded
The coldest temperature ever recorded in Wyoming was a frigid -66 degrees Fahrenheit (-54 degrees Celsius) in Riverside on February 9, 1933.
1936: Republican Control of State Senate
Republicans have maintained continuous control of the Wyoming state senate since 1936.
1964: Republican Control of State House
The Wyoming state house has been under Republican control since 1964.
1964: Last Democratic Presidential Vote
The last time Wyoming voted for a Democrat for president was in 1964.
1968: Republican Presidential Nominee Victory
Since 1968, the Republican presidential nominee has consistently won in Wyoming.
1972: Reform of Judicial Selection Process
Wyoming implemented a significant reform in its judicial selection process. The state moved away from the popular election of judges, transitioning to a system based on nomination, appointment, and retention votes.
1975: Start of Democratic Governorship Period
Democrats held the governorship in Wyoming for all but eight years between 1975 and 2011.
1977: Last Democrat Senator from Wyoming
1977 marked the last time a Democrat represented Wyoming in the Senate.
1978: Last Democrat Representative from Wyoming
In 1978, the last Democratic representative for Wyoming in the House left office.
1979: Dick Cheney's Congressional Term Begins
Dick Cheney began representing Wyoming in Congress in 1979.
1989: Dick Cheney's Congressional Term Ends
Dick Cheney concluded his time representing Wyoming in Congress in 1989.
2000: Census Ancestry Data
The 2000 census revealed that the most prevalent ancestry groups in Wyoming were German (26.0%), English (16.0%), Irish (13.3%), Norwegian (4.3%), and Swedish (3.5%).
2000: Closure of Wyoming School for the Deaf
The Wyoming School for the Deaf, the state's sole dedicated educational institution for deaf students, closed its doors in the summer of 2000, marking a change in the state's approach to deaf education.
2001: Casper Hosts College National Finals Rodeo
Casper has hosted the College National Finals Rodeo every year since 2001.
2002: Coalbed Methane Production in Wyoming
Wyoming witnessed a surge in coalbed methane (CBM) production, reaching 327.5 billion cubic feet. This highlighted the state's role in natural gas extraction.
2002: Tourism in Wyoming's National Parks and Monuments
Wyoming's breathtaking national parks and monuments attracted a large influx of visitors, with over six million people exploring these natural wonders in 2002. This highlighted the state's appeal as a tourist destination.
2004: Bush's Second-Largest Victory
George W. Bush won his second-largest presidential victory in Wyoming in 2004, with 69% of the vote.
2004: Foreign-Born Population
The foreign-born population in Wyoming was recorded at 11,000 (2.2%) in 2004.
2005: Birth Rate
In 2005, Wyoming recorded 7,231 births, resulting in a birth rate of 14.04 per thousand.
2006: Last Statewide Democratic Win
The last time a Democrat won a statewide election in Wyoming was in 2006, when Dave Freudenthal was re-elected as governor.
2006: Regulation of Unaccredited Institutions in Wyoming
Wyoming implemented a law in 2006 aimed at addressing the presence of unaccredited institutions, many suspected of being diploma mills. The law required these institutions to either seek accreditation, relocate, or cease operations.
2006: Property Taxes from Mineral Production
Wyoming's mineral industry, encompassing oil, gas, trona, and coal, contributed significantly to property tax revenue, with $1.3 billion generated from mineral production.
2007: Wyoming's Oil Production and National Ranking
Wyoming secured its place as a major oil producer in 2007, ranking fifth nationwide by producing 53.4 million barrels of crude oil. This underscored the state's contribution to the nation's energy supply.
2007: Revenue Generation from Oil and Gas Industry
Wyoming's oil and gas industry played a crucial role in generating government revenue, with state and local governments collecting over $2.2 billion in taxes, levies, and royalties.
2007: Potential Resolution of Diploma Mill Issue
The Oregon State Office of Degree Authorization predicted that Wyoming's efforts to regulate unaccredited institutions would likely resolve the issue of diploma mills in the state within a few years.
2007: Economic Significance of Mining in Wyoming
In 2007, Wyoming's mineral extraction industry, a key driver of the state's economy, generated a substantial taxable value exceeding $14.5 billion in mining production.
2007: Languages Spoken at Home
The American Community Survey in 2007 indicated that 6.2% of Wyoming residents over the age of five (30,419 individuals) used a language other than English at home.
2008: Sweetwater County's Last Democratic Vote
In 2008, Sweetwater County voted for a Democrat in the U.S. House race for the last time.
2008: Wyoming's Trona Production and Global Significance
In 2008, Wyoming solidified its position as a leading producer of trona, a mineral with diverse industrial applications. The state's production reached 46 million short tons, accounting for a significant portion of global production.
2008: Wyoming's Business-Friendly Tax Climate
In 2008, the Tax Foundation recognized Wyoming as having the most favorable tax environment for businesses among all U.S. states.
2008: Peak Coal Production in Wyoming
Wyoming reached its peak coal production in 2008, producing 514 million short tons, demonstrating the state's historical significance in the coal industry.
2010: Religious Demographics of Wyoming
In 2010, the Association of Religion Data Archives (ARDA) reported that the largest religious denominations in Wyoming were the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Catholic Church, and the Southern Baptist Convention. The report also highlighted a significant portion of the population claiming no religious tradition.
2010: Population Data
The 2010 census recorded Wyoming's population.
2011: End of Democratic Governorship Period
2011 marked the end of a period where Democrats held the governorship in Wyoming for all but eight years since 1975.
2011: Minority Population Under 1 Year Old
Data from 2011 indicated that 24.9% of Wyoming residents under one year old identified as minorities.
2012: Wyoming's Gross State Product
Wyoming's gross state product reached $38.4 billion, reflecting the economic activity within the state.
2013: Gallup Poll on Religious Affiliations
A Gallup poll conducted in 2013 revealed that 49% of Wyoming residents identified as Protestant, 23% as nonreligious or affiliated with other religions, 18% as Catholic, 9% as Latter-day Saints (Mormons), and less than 1% as Jewish.
2014: Pew Research Center Religiosity Study
The Pew Research Center conducted a study on religiosity in 2014.
2014: Governance Changes on Wind River Indian Reservation
The Wind River Indian Reservation underwent a significant governance change, with the Joint Business Council, responsible for matters affecting both the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho tribes, dissolved.
2014: Laramie County's Last Democratic Vote
Laramie County last voted for a Democrat in 2014 for the Superintendent of Public Instruction race.
2014: Population Growth and Economic Factors
In 2014, Wyoming experienced slight population growth, particularly in areas with a strong tourism industry. However, economic opportunities in neighboring states impacted the state's workforce, leading to population decline in some counties.
2014: Religious Service Attendance in Wyoming
A 2014 Pew study revealed varying levels of religious service attendance in Wyoming, with a significant portion of the population attending services at least once a week, while a considerable number reported seldom or never attending.
2015: Population Increase
Wyoming's population reached an estimated 586,107 in 2015, reflecting a rise of 1,954 (0.29%) from the previous year and a 3.99% increase from the 2010 census.
2016: Wyoming's LLC Disclosure Laws and Tax Haven Potential
In 2016, Wyoming's legal framework regarding LLCs allowed for the nondisclosure of beneficial owners, potentially creating a tax haven environment.
2016: Wyoming's National Ranking in Natural Gas Production
Wyoming solidified its position as a leading natural gas producer, ranking 6th nationwide with a production of 1.77 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, reflecting the state's energy resources.
2017: Wyoming's Reliance on Federal Tax Dollars
By 2017, Wyoming emerged as one of the states most reliant on federal tax revenue as a percentage of its general revenue, highlighting the state's fiscal relationship with the federal government.
2018: Decline in Coal Production
Wyoming's coal production experienced a decline, suggesting changes in energy consumption patterns and industry trends.
2018: Immigrant Origins
In 2018, the primary countries of origin for immigrants to Wyoming were Mexico, China, Germany, England, and Canada.
2018: Median Income Disparity
In 2018, Wyoming stood out as the only state where the median income for African American workers surpassed that of white workers, as revealed by American Community Survey data.
2018: Contribution of Tourism to Wyoming's Economy
By 2018, tourism emerged as a significant economic force in Wyoming, contributing over $3.8 billion in revenue, underscoring the importance of the state's natural attractions.
2018: Reasons for Non-Churchgoing Among Christians
A 2018 research article by the National Christian Foundation explored the reasons behind non-churchgoing among Christians nationwide. Factors included alternative ways of practicing faith, dissatisfaction with available houses of worship, and logistical challenges.
2019: Coal Production in Wyoming
Wyoming produced 277 million short tons of coal in 2019, marking a 9% decrease from the previous year, indicating a shifting energy landscape.
2020: Shift in Religious Demographics
By 2020, ARDA reported a shift in Wyoming's religious landscape, with the Catholic Church surpassing the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as the largest denomination. The report also noted a significant increase in the number of non-denominational Protestants.
2020: Religious Adherence Rates in Wyoming
In 2020, ARDA provided insights into the adherence rates of different religious groups in Wyoming, with Roman Catholics and Mormons having the highest rates per 1,000 people. Non-denominational Protestants also showed a notable adherence rate.
2021: Gillette Mustangs Begin Play
The Gillette Mustangs, an indoor football team, began playing in Gillette in 2021.
2022: Republican Landslide in Gubernatorial Election
The 2022 gubernatorial election saw a Republican landslide victory in Wyoming.
2023: Wyoming's Embrace of Blockchain Technology
By 2023, Wyoming emerged as a hub for blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies. Numerous businesses incorporated these technologies, with a significant number of member-owned LLCs established on blockchain platforms.
2023: Gillette Mustangs Leave Gillette
The Gillette Mustangs indoor football team departed from Gillette in 2023.