Idaho, the state known for its potatoes became the 43rd state of the U.S.A. on July 3, 1890, and during this time we celebrated Idaho Day just before Independence Day on July 4. While known for its agriculture, Idaho really saw its first population boom with the pioneers and mining industry. 

 

“Idaho is unique even compared to our neighbors … Idaho was such a desolate place with some fur trappers … and then when the mining industry took off that was where a lot of the development came,” said Governor Brad Little in an interview with BYU-Idaho Radio. 

 

For a long time, Idaho was seen as a pathway, a liminal space between states like Washington, Utah and California, especially during the gold rush in San Francisco. Now Idaho is growing fast, and was even the fastest growing state in 2021. 

 

“In the last 8 or 10 years that we’ve had this incredible growth from outside of the state,” Little said. 

 

You can learn more about the history of Idaho and Idaho Day here: https://history.idaho.gov/idaho-day/#:~:text=Celebrate%20Idaho%20Day%20on%20March,past%2C%20present%2C%20and%20future.