HAWAII BECOMES 50TH STATE
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On August 21, 1959, the territory of Hawaii* became the 50th state in the Union. President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who signed The Admission Act providing for the addition of Hawaii, unveiled the new 50 star Flag of the United States. The flag would fly nationwide for the first time on July 4, 1960.
In the words of Poka Laenui...
"Communities lit bon fires...cars blared their horns and people walked the streets with broad grins and greetings, seeing themselves as full-fledged Americans."
Hawaiians had been American citizens since 1900 when the Hawaii Organic Act passed by the Congress granted citizenship to all citizens of the Republic of Hawaii. Statehood was both supported and opposed over the next 59 years.
The first statehood bill was introduced in 1921 but the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor set the movement back.
The admission of Alaska as the 49th state in January 1949 influenced Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle to support Hawaii statehood.
*Hawaii is located 2000 miles SW of North America. It is the southernmost state and the only one not located in North America. Hawaii is composed of 8 major islands and is only one of four states other than the original 13 to have been a republic.
SOURCE
"Statehood: A Second Glance," by Poka Laenui, www.hawaii-nation.org
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On August 21, 1959, the territory of Hawaii* became the 50th state in the Union. President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who signed The Admission Act providing for the addition of Hawaii, unveiled the new 50 star Flag of the United States. The flag would fly nationwide for the first time on July 4, 1960.
In the words of Poka Laenui...
"Communities lit bon fires...cars blared their horns and people walked the streets with broad grins and greetings, seeing themselves as full-fledged Americans."
Hawaiians had been American citizens since 1900 when the Hawaii Organic Act passed by the Congress granted citizenship to all citizens of the Republic of Hawaii. Statehood was both supported and opposed over the next 59 years.
The first statehood bill was introduced in 1921 but the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor set the movement back.
The admission of Alaska as the 49th state in January 1949 influenced Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle to support Hawaii statehood.
*Hawaii is located 2000 miles SW of North America. It is the southernmost state and the only one not located in North America. Hawaii is composed of 8 major islands and is only one of four states other than the original 13 to have been a republic.
SOURCE
"Statehood: A Second Glance," by Poka Laenui, www.hawaii-nation.org
Iolani Palace, Honolulu
Photo by Jiang (2005)
