How Hawaii Became a State

Hawaii is a beautiful paradise located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, and its unique history and culture have made it a popular destination for travelers from around the world. But how did Hawaii become a state? This article will explore the history of Hawaii, from its earliest inhabitants to its eventual statehood in 1959.

Pre-Statehood

Pre-Contact History

Prior to the arrival of Europeans, the Hawaiian Islands were inhabited by a native population known as the Polynesians. The Polynesians had a rich culture and were skilled navigators, having traveled from Tahiti to the Hawaiian Islands in outrigger canoes. They developed a complex social structure and a system of government, with a monarchy at the top. The Polynesians also developed a unique language and a written form of communication. They were also skilled farmers, growing taro, sweet potatoes, and other crops.

Annexation by the United States

In the early 1800s, the Hawaiian Islands were discovered by Europeans. The first Europeans to arrive were British and American traders, who established trading posts and began to influence the Hawaiian culture. In 1843, the Hawaiian Islands were formally annexed by the United States, and in 1845, the Hawaiian Kingdom was established. The Hawaiian monarchy was overthrown in 1893, and in 1898, the United States officially annexed the Hawaiian Islands as a territory. In 1959, the Hawaiian Islands became the 50th state of the United States.

Statehood Movement

Early Advocates

The push for Hawaii to become a state began in the late 1800s, when a group of prominent Hawaiian citizens began advocating for statehood. This group, which included King David Kalakaua, Queen Liliuokalani, and Sanford B. Dole, argued that Hawaii should become a state in order to protect the rights of its citizens. They also argued that statehood would bring economic and political stability to the islands. Despite their efforts, the US Congress was initially reluctant to grant statehood to Hawaii.

Political Opposition

The US Congress was hesitant to grant statehood to Hawaii due to political opposition from mainland politicians. These opponents argued that Hawaii was too far away from the mainland and that granting statehood would be too costly. They also raised concerns about Hawaii's racial makeup, claiming that it would be difficult to integrate Hawaiian citizens into the US. Despite this opposition, the statehood movement continued to gain momentum.

Final Push for Statehood

The final push for statehood came in the 1950s, when Hawaii's congressional delegation began to lobby for statehood. They argued that Hawaii was an important strategic asset for the US and that it should be granted statehood. The US Congress eventually agreed and in 1959, Hawaii became the 50th state of the United States. This marked the end of a long and difficult struggle for statehood and the beginning of a new era for the Hawaiian people.

Becoming a State

Ratification of the Admission Act

The Admission Act was a bill that was passed by Congress in 1959, which allowed Hawaii to become the 50th state of the United States. The bill was then sent to the people of Hawaii to be voted on in a referendum. The people of Hawaii voted overwhelmingly in favor of the bill, with 94.3% voting in favor and only 5.7% voting against. This was the first step in the process of Hawaii becoming a state.

The bill was then sent to President Eisenhower for his signature. On March 18th, 1959, President Eisenhower signed the bill into law, officially making Hawaii the 50th state of the United States. This was a momentous occasion for the people of Hawaii, who had been fighting for statehood for many years.

Statehood Ceremony

On August 21st, 1959, the statehood ceremony was held in Honolulu, Hawaii. The ceremony was attended by many dignitaries, including President Eisenhower and Vice President Richard Nixon. The ceremony was a joyous occasion, with many people celebrating the long-awaited statehood of Hawaii.

The ceremony began with a traditional Hawaiian chant, followed by a speech from President Eisenhower. In his speech, President Eisenhower praised the people of Hawaii for their hard work and dedication to achieving statehood. He also spoke of the importance of Hawaii to the United States and the many benefits that Hawaii would bring to the nation.

After the speech, the official documents of statehood were signed by President Eisenhower and the Governor of Hawaii. This marked the official beginning of Hawaii's statehood. After the documents were signed, the Hawaiian flag was raised and the national anthem was played. This was a momentous occasion for the people of Hawaii, who had been fighting for statehood for many years.