Much like England, Hawaii was once a land governed by royalty — but its trajectory took a dramatic turn on August 21, 1959. That was the day Hawaii earned its place as the 50th state in the United States of America, an occasion forever marked by the addition of a 50th star to the American flag.
Fun Facts:
- Sitting over 2400 miles from the US mainland in the South Pacific, the Hawaii islands hold the distinction of being remarkably remote — a unique and intriguing fact about the archipelago.
- Hawaii joined the United States of America right on the heels of Alaska, which had entered the union as the 49th state.
- A redesigned American flag featuring 50 staggered stars arranged in rows was ordered by the then-President of the United States, Dwight D. Eisenhower. It wasn't until July 4, 1960, that this new flag became official.
- The journey toward statehood reached a pivotal milestone on March 18, 1959, when former President Dwight D Eisenhower signed the Admission Act for Hawaii.
- The islands welcomed their first settlers around the eighth century. Later, Americans were drawn to Hawaii by its valuable sandalwood, a product highly treasured on the Asian continent.
- To this day, Hawaii holds the title of the youngest state in the United States of America.
- Prior to 1959, Hawaii held the status of an organized incorporation territory of the United States.
- Hawaii was once under the rule of a monarch. In a controversial and tragic event that became a significant turning point in the islands' history, local sugar planters — backed by US marines — illegally toppled Queen Liliuokalani from power.