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The Idaho Territory was the formal name of the U.S. territory that existed from 1863 to 1890.

The territory was officially organized on March 4, 1863 by Act of Congress, and signed into law by President Abraham Lincoln. It was originally created by areas from existing territories, Most of the area west of the continental divide was formerly part of the Washington Territory, whereas most of the area east of the continental divide had been part of the Dakota Territory.

The first capital was at Lewiston.

In 1864, the Montana Territory was organized from the northeastern section of the territory east of the Bitteroot Range. Most of the southeastern area of the territory was made part of the Dakota Territory.

In 1868, the areas east of the 111th meridian were made part of the newly created Wyoming Territory.

The territory was admitted to the Union as the State of IdahoIdaho ( In Detail) (Full size) State nickname: Gem State Other U. States Capital Boise Largest City Boise Governor Dirk Kempthorne Area Total Land Water % water Ranked 14th 216,632 km²214,499 km² 2,133 km²1% Population Total ( 2000) Density Ranked 39th1,2 on July 3July 3rd is the 184th day of the year (185th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 181 days remaining. Events 323 Battle of Adrianople Constantine the Great defeats Licinius, who flees to Byzantium 533 Battle of the Tenth Milestone: Byzantine gen, 1890.

External links

• Idaho Governor timeline of events in the Idaho Territory
• Idaho State Univ. document (PDF) on origin of name "Idaho" and how Idaho became territory