PHOTOS: In Washington, A Historic Day; Gay Marriage, Marijuana Are Legal

By Eyder Peralta

Published December 6, 2012 at 5:26 PM CST

History was made at midnight in Washington on two fronts last night: Bans on both gay marriage and recreational marijuana use were lifted.

As you might expect, as the sun set and the clock struck 12, there were scenes of celebration across the state's biggest city. The pictures tell the story, so with that here are five photographs from Seattle.

Robyn Bowen of Seattle Washington smokes marijuana underneath the Space Needle shortly after a law legalizing the recreational use of marijuana took effect on Thursday.

Will Gerome, left, and partner John Kirby wait their turn with other gay and lesbian couples to apply for a marriage license at the King County Administration Building in Seattle, Washington.

A resident of Tacoma, Washington smokes marijuana shortly before a law legalizing the recreational use of marijuana took effect in Seattle, Washington.

Jane Abbott Lighty, left, and Pete-e Petersen embrace after receiving the first same-sex marriage license in Washington state at the King County Recorder's Office in Seattle, Washington.

Eyder Peralta

Eyder Peralta is NPR's East Africa correspondent based in Nairobi, Kenya.

See stories by Eyder Peralta

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