Win at Trivial Pursuit! When was the first Temperance and Good Citizenship Day in Washington state? Hint: not long after women won the right to vote and the League of Women Voters was established.

In 1923 the Washington State Legislature proclaimed Temperance and Good Citizenship Day. Almost 100 years later, the purpose is still the same: “To promote civics education and peaceful citizen engagement.”

Clark County League member Teresa Torres talked about the purpose of this day with high school juniors, telling them that:

Temperance and Good Citizenship Day seems like an odd name for an important date. In this case, temperance means exhibiting moderation. Today you are going to learn an important part of being a good citizen—registering to vote and then using that right for the common good.

Read Teresa’s recent article, “Local View: Observance Vital for Democracy,” in The Columbian.

State law requires that all high schools in Washington state reserve this day every year for voter registration. Did your League work with schools for Temperance and Good Citizenship Day on January 14, 2022? Contact LWVWA Board Member Beth Pellicciotti—she would like to learn more about your work with schools.