Today, we turn our attention to a significant event that took place on August 21, 1959, when Hawaii was admitted as the 50th state of the United States, completing the union of the modern U.S.

Hawaii, pronounced (/həˈwaɪ.i/ hə-WY-ee) in English and Hawaiʻi in Hawaiian ([həˈvɐjʔi, həˈwɐjʔi]), is an island state located in the Pacific Ocean about 2,000 miles southwest of the U.S. mainland. It is unique in many ways: the only state not on the North American mainland, the only state that is an archipelago, and the only state situated in the tropics.

The state of Hawaii consists of 137 volcanic islands that make up almost the entire Hawaiian archipelago, with the exception of Midway Atoll. Spanning 1,500 miles, Hawaii is part of the Polynesian subregion of Oceania. The state has the fourth-longest ocean coastline in the U.S., stretching about 750 miles. The eight main islands are Niʻihau, Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, Kahoʻolawe, Maui, and Hawaiʻi, which is often referred to as the "Big Island" to avoid confusion with the state's name. The uninhabited Northwestern Hawaiian Islands form the majority of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, the largest protected area in the U.S. and the fourth-largest in the world.

Hawaii is the eighth-smallest state in land area and the 11th-least populous. However, with a population of 1.4 million residents, it ranks 13th in population density. Two-thirds of Hawaii's residents live on O'ahu, home to the state's capital and largest city, Honolulu. Hawaii is among the most diverse states in the U.S., boasting the largest proportion of multiracial people and the largest Buddhist community. It is a unique melting pot of North American and East Asian cultures, in addition to its indigenous Hawaiian heritage.

Hawaii's history is rich and complex. Settled by Polynesians between 1000 and 1200 CE, Hawaii was home to numerous independent chiefdoms. British explorer James Cook was the first known non-Polynesian to arrive at the archipelago in 1778. Following Cook's arrival, European and American explorers, traders, and whalers flocked to the islands, introducing diseases that decimated the indigenous population.

In 1810, Hawaii became a unified kingdom, which remained independent until 1893, when American and European businessmen overthrew the monarchy. This led to Hawaii's annexation by the United States in 1898. Hawaii's strategic importance was highlighted during World War II, especially after Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

The road to statehood was long and complex. After the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy and subsequent annexation by the United States, Hawaii was designated a U.S. territory in 1898. For six decades, Hawaii remained a territory, despite several attempts to achieve statehood. The turning point came in the 1950s when the civil rights movement and geopolitical considerations during the Cold War era brought renewed attention to Hawaii's status. Residents of Hawaii actively campaigned for statehood, and on March 12, 1959, the U.S. Congress passed the Hawaii Admission Act. President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed it into law, and on June 27, 1959, Hawaii held a plebiscite where more than 94% of voters supported statehood. Finally, on August 21, 1959, Hawaii was officially admitted as the 50th state of the United States.

Hawaii's economy, historically dominated by plantations, has diversified significantly since the mid-20th century. Today, tourism and military defense are the two largest sectors. Hawaii's natural beauty, warm tropical climate, and unique culture attract millions of visitors annually. The state is also home to the United States Pacific Fleet, the world's largest naval command.

The admission of Hawaii as the 50th state marked the completion of the union and symbolized a new era for the islands. The state’s cultural diversity, strategic importance, and natural beauty continue to make it a unique and integral part of the United States. As we reflect on Hawaii's journey to statehood, it is a testament to the resilience and diversity of its people.

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