July 27-August 2
July 27, 1978
On this day, Congress passes the American Indian Religious Freedom Act (AIRFA). The legislation protects the rights of Native peoples to practice their religions and requires federal agencies to consult with tribes to review policies and procedures that may affect tribal religious practices.
In Washington, this law would be particularly significant for the management of national forests, national parks, and other federal lands.
July 30, 1909
On this day, Dr. Cora Smith Eaton, photographer Asahel Curtis, Major E. S. Ingraham, and other summiting members of The Mountaineers’ 1909 expedition to Mount Rainier planted a large Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition flag with a smaller pennant bearing the motto “Votes For Women” attached to its staff at the summit of Columbia Crest on Mount Rainier.
High winds snapped the staff after only 15 minutes. The climbers then placed the flag inside the crater, where they left it.
The Mountaineers club was founded in 1906 with a charter membership of 77 women and 74 men. Dr. Cora Smith Eaton, one of these founders, was also a suffrage leader in Washington.
August 2, 1875
On this day, Bailey Gatzert assumed office as the first and only (as of 2005) Jewish mayor of Seattle.
Gatzert was a partner and general manager of Schwabacher & Bros., one of Seattle’s earliest hardware and general mercantile stores, later to become the start of wholesale trade in Seattle. He was elected on July 12, 1875.
This post is in partnership with HistoryLink, and Warren Seyler, former chairman Spokane Tribe of Indians, the Black Muse Resource Center, and the Living Arts Cultural Heritage.
We encourage you to engage in further research through your local historic societies, museums, archives, and community.
