On August 21, 1959, President Dwight Eisenhower signed a proclamation declaring Hawaii as the 50th state of the United States. In his extemporaneous remarks, Eisenhower welcomed Hawaii into the union as a full sister to the other 49 states. He emphasized the historic nature of the occasion, as Hawaii was the second state added to the U.S. in that year. The signing of the proclamation marked a significant moment in history, as it changed the makeup of Congress by eliminating delegates who had represented Hawaii Territory and Alaska Territory.
The Hawaii Admission Act, passed into law in March 1959, paved the way for Hawaiian statehood. Section 7b of the act mandated that Hawaiians be given the opportunity to vote on joining the United States as a state and agreeing with the provisions of the act. In a June 27, 1959, election, Hawaiians overwhelmingly voted to be admitted to the United States as a state, marking the highest turnout in state history.
Hawaii’s journey to statehood began over 150 years ago when the United States annexed the island chain in 1898. However, the history of Hawaii dates back even further, with Polynesians arriving in the islands approximately 1,500 years ago. Captain James Cook became the first European to reach Hawaii in 1778, naming the islands the Sandwich Islands. King Kamehameha I united the Hawaiian islands under his rule in 1810, initiating the Kamehameha dynasty’s reign until 1874.
The monarchy in Hawaii lasted until 1893 when Queen LiliÊ»uokalani was overthrown in a coup, leading to the establishment of the Republic of Hawaii in 1894 under Sanford Dole. Hawaii’s transition from a kingdom to a republic set the stage for its eventual status as a U.S. territory in 1900. President William McKinley appointed Dole as the territorial governor of Hawaii, solidifying its ties to the mainland United States.
The pivotal moment in Hawaii’s history occurred on December 7, 1941, when Japanese forces attacked the U.S. Navy base at Pearl Harbor. The infamous attack resulted in the deaths of 2,403 American service members and civilians, with a significant number of casualties aboard the USS Arizona. This tragic event brought Hawaii to the forefront of global attention and propelled the United States into World War II.
Today, August 21 is celebrated as “Statehood Day” in Hawaii, although the commemoration takes place on the third Friday in August each year. Hawaii’s journey to statehood reflects a complex tapestry of historical events, from its indigenous Polynesian roots to its tumultuous transition from monarchy to republic and eventually to statehood within the United States. The unique culture and history of Hawaii continue to shape its identity as the 50th state of the nation.
