1894

Theodore Roosevelt helps found the National Municipal League in Philadelphia. On March 17, 49 of Seattle's leading citizens convene at the Chamber of Commerce to form a Municipal League and launch a campaign for a new City Charter. Though the charter passes in 1896, the prototype League fades out in 1895.

1910

The Municipal League of Seattle is formally established on May 23 at a meeting of 120 charter members. On October 8, the League and allied citizen organizations file petitions for the recall of Mayor Hiram Gill. The new League campaigns successfully for Municipal Plans Commission.'

1911

The first Municipal League News published on June 24, advocating for a Port Commission and nonpartisan elections.

1913

League membership tops 1,000. Its first proposal to admit women as League members fails. The League launches Seattle's first referendum campaign, a successful effort repealing a City ordinance pertaining to police powers. It opposes plans for a City-County Building (now the King County Courthouse) and proposes merger of dry and county government.

1915

In advance of Prohibition, the League proposes "public corn-fort stations" to replace restrooms in the 300 bars to be closed the following year.

1922

The League launches the first of several unsuccessful campaigns to adopt a City Manager form of municipal government

1926

The League advances the first proposal for a floating bridge across Lake Washington (not achieved until 1940).

1928

The League makes the first proposals for tax subsidies for public transit, which was funded exclusively through fare revenues at the time.

1930

Warren G. Magnuson, future U.S. Senator, edits Seattle Municipal News, and is later promoted to executive secretary. Future executive secretaries include C.A. Crosser, historian Murray Morgan, and Seattle Center Director Ewen Dingwall.

1937

The League votes to admit women, 17 years after the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution granted women the right to vote.

1943

Despite the distractions of World War II, the League remains active, proposing a City Freeholders election that results in adoption of Seattle' s 1946 Charter.

1948

The League wins passage of “home rule" county charter enabling legislation and advocates merger of city and county governments.

1950

An appointed City Transit Commission is created at the urging of the League. League membership nears 4,000.

1953

The League wins expansion of the Port Commission from three to five members. Jim Ellis and the League produce "Metropolitan Seattle -The Shape We're In,” advocating for a metropolitan government for King County.

1958

The League helps to win creation of the "Municipality' of Metropolitan Seattle" or "Metro." A $135 million effort begins to clean up Lake Washington. The League also pushes the City's adoption of its first noise control ordinance.

1966

In a speech to the League on January 21, James Ellis proposes a massive, comprehensive program of capital improvements for parks, mass transit, roads, and other public facilities. This effort becomes "Forward Thrust."

1968

King County voters pass the bulk of Forward Thrust bonds, with the notable exception of a rail transit system, and, at long last, a King County Home Rule Charter.

1972

The League leads the Initiative 276 campaign, which establishes open government meetings, the reporting of political contributions, and the state Public Disclosure Commission.

1975

The League exposes contracting irregularities for Seattle's financial computing system and for the West Seattle Bridge. It also undergoes a major internal reorganization and hosts its first Election Night Countdown party.

1977

The League works for major City charter amendments, the Seattle School District's desegregation plan, and revision of the Seattle Comprehensive Plan.

1979

The League begins rating King County Superior Court judges.

1982

The Eastside Municipal League marks its first anniversary, haying evaluated local candidates and sponsored forums on ballot issues and the disposition of school property.

1985

The League releases "Crisis in our Streets," a study and recommendations on the mental health problems of the homeless. The Public Agenda program, featuring Issue Watch, Issue Brief, and Public Access publications, is launched.

1987

Voters and the King County 2000 Committee's regional planning effort get help from the League's "Setting Regional Priorities: Tools for Planning and Choosing Capital Projects:' The League also studies solid waste.

1988

The Eastside Municipal League and The Municipal League of Seattle merge into one streamlined, regional organization, The Municipal League of King County.

1990

With the Growth Challenge program, the League leads discussion about how the Puget Sound region should grow.

1992

The League campaigns for the merger of Metro and King County governments, which passed at the polls in November.

1993

Ever vigilant of good government, the League releases a set of recommendations aimed at increasing the accountability of the Port of Seattle.

1994

"Are We Going Dry? An Examination of Regional Water Supply and Governance" is released.

1995

The League takes on transportation, county governance, and capital finance priority setting as the focus for the year, in addition to rating candidates, studying ballot issues, and celebrating its 85th anniversary.