The timetable for Wyoming's territorial status and statehood was accelerated by the construction of the transcontinental railroad across its southern tier of counties. Support within Wyoming for becoming a state was far from overwhelming; there was substantial sympathy for remaining a territory. When the Wyoming statehood bill was considered by the U.S. House of Representatives, it passed, narrowly, 139 to 127. Admitting a new state with woman suffrage was a deterrent for some members of Congress. A 29-to-18 vote in the U.S. Senate sent the bill to President Benjamin Harrison for his signature.

Although lacking the density of population usually associated with admittance, statehood was achieved effective July 10, 1890, making Wyoming the 44th star on the flag. Still the least populous of the states, Wyoming has 97,914 square miles within its borders at a mean elevation of 6,100 feet above sea level.

A stamp commemorating the 50th anniversary of Wyoming statehood was issued on July 10, 1940, in Cheyenne. An Idaho statehood stamp, issued just seven days earlier, depicted that state's capitol building. For variety, it was decided to use the Wyoming state seal, which heralds preeminence in suffrage for women, as the basis for its design. Wyoming became the first state to install women to the offices of justice of the peace, in 1870; state superintendent of public instruction, in 1894; and as governor, in 1924. It was also the first state to impanel women on its juries.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt, an avid stamp collector, took a direct hand in the selection of the design and the violet brown ink color for the 3-cent stamp. More than 50 million of the stamps were issued.

A University of Wyoming graduate in history, broadcasting executive Jack Rosenthal of Casper served as chairman of the U.S. Postal Service's Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee in Washington, D.C.