Wyoming Statehood: July 10, 1890, and the Bison Flag

Wyoming became the 44th state on July 10, 1890. President Benjamin Harrison signed its statehood bill. The admission preserved women's voting rights that Wyoming had recognized as a territory, while the familiar bison flag was adopted decades later, in 1917.

Wyoming state flag with a white bison and state seal on blue, framed by white and red borders.
FORTISVEX catalog illustration of the modern Wyoming state flag. The flag design is separate from the statehood date.

When is Wyoming's state birthday?

Wyoming's birthday is July 10. The Wyoming State Library's admission account confirms July 10, 1890, and President Benjamin Harrison's signature. Do not confuse that date with July 23, when Wyoming held its formal statehood celebration.

How did Wyoming become a state?

Wyoming Territory was created in 1868. Its leaders later proceeded with a constitution even though Congress had not passed the proposed enabling legislation. Delegates gathered in Cheyenne in September 1889, and voters approved the constitution on November 5.

The State of Wyoming's history describes this path, followed by congressional consideration and admission in 1890. The constitution vote and the statehood act were separate events. July 10 marks entry into the Union, not Wyoming's original constitutional convention.

Why is Wyoming called the Equality State?

Wyoming Territory passed legislation recognizing women's voting rights in 1869 and retained women's suffrage when it became a state. The National Archives' suffrage history explains how that commitment became part of the statehood debate. It is the central historical connection behind the Equality State nickname.

This was an important milestone in women's voting rights, not proof that every resident had equal access to the ballot. Citizenship restrictions still limited voting for many Native Americans and Asian immigrant women, as the National Archives' voting-rights exhibit notes.

When was Wyoming's bison flag adopted?

The legislature adopted the bison flag on January 31, 1917. Its designer was Verna Keays, later known as Verna Keays Keyes. The Wyoming Secretary of State's symbols page identifies her design and the adoption date.

The flag places a white bison on blue, surrounded by white and red borders, with the state seal on the animal's body. A modern flag therefore connects a recognizable wildlife image with the state's official emblem, but it was not the flag adopted at statehood in 1890.

Why does July 23 appear in Wyoming statehood history?

July 23, 1890, was the formal celebration, not the admission date. The Wyoming State Library's statehood exhibit draws on contemporary newspaper accounts of that event. For a birthday calendar, use July 10; for an exhibit about the festivities, explain July 23 separately.

Explore Wyoming flags and other state birthdays

For a statehood display, compare the sizes, materials and mounting options in our Wyoming state flag collection. For more anniversary dates, visit the U.S. state birthday calendar.

Sources and further reading

Oct 24th 2026 Sabrina C.

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