Statehood: Hawaiʻi becomes the 50th state (1959)

Hawaiʻi became the 50th state on August 21, 1959, after President Eisenhower signed the Admission Act on March 18, 1959. In a June 27, 1959 vote with record turnout, about 140,000 ballots were cast and more than 93% on every major island approved. Statehood Day is the third Friday in August.

• Admission Act: passed the Senate 76 to 15 and the House 323 to 89 in March 1959; signed March 18, 1959.
• Vote: on June 27, 1959, voters approved statehood with at least 93% yes on every major island; fewer than 8,000 voted no.
• Hawaiʻi was a U.S. territory from 1900 to 1959. Some Native Hawaiians opposed statehood, and the ballot offered no option of independence, a point still debated today.
• After statehood, jet travel and tourism boomed, and Hawaiʻi's economy shifted from plantations to visitors and the military.
• Statehood Day (Admission Day) is a state holiday on the third Friday of August.

Source: Wikipedia: Hawaiʻi Admission Act

Last checked Nov. 1, 2026. Hours, fees and rules can change, so confirm with the official source before you go.