Statehood Day is a holiday in Hawaiʻi to commemorate Hawaiʻi's admission as the 50th state of the United States on August 21, 1959.

When is Statehood Day?

Statehood Day is observed annually in Hawaiʻi on the third Friday of August. The following is the list of Statehood Day.

The History of Statehood Day?

Hawaiʻi was annexed by the United States through the Newlands Resolution after the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy in 1893. It became a U.S. territory in 1900, but many Hawaiians had mixed feelings about the loss of sovereignty.

During the early 20th century, there was growing advocacy for statehood, driven by Hawaiʻi's residents who sought full representation in Congress and access to federal resources, although some groups opposed statehood.

On June 27, 1959, Hawaiʻi's residents voted overwhelmingly for statehood, with 94% in favor. Hawaiʻi officially became the 50th U.S. state on August 21, 1959, when President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the proclamation.

The first Statehood Day was celebrated on August 21, 1960, marking the one-year anniversary of Hawaiʻi's statehood. Over time, the date was standardized to the third Friday of August, creating a consistent state holiday.

What Do People Do on This Day?

On Statehood Day, people in Hawaiʻi observe the holiday with a mix of reflection and celebration. Activities vary widely depending on individual perspectives and local traditions.

Schools and Organizations host programs, lectures, and discussions about Hawaiʻi's journey to statehood focusing on the historical timeline, including the annexation of Hawaiʻi, the territorial period, and the 1959 vote for statehood.

Some communities hold small parades or cultural festivals showcasing Hawaiian history and traditions. For some, Statehood Day is a day of reflection on the loss of Hawaiian sovereignty and the impact of colonization.

Government offices and many schools are closed, giving families an opportunity to spend time together. Unlike other holidays, Statehood Day tends to be a quieter holiday with fewer organized events. For most people, it is simply a day off to reflect on Hawaiʻi's history and its place within the U.S.

A Brief History of Hawaiʻi

Hawaiʻi was settled by Polynesians around 300-600 CE, who navigated vast ocean distances using stars and ocean currents. These settlers brought their culture, language, and agricultural practices, shaping the Hawaiian Islands into thriving societies.

Over centuries, Hawaiʻi developed into independent chiefdoms ruled by chiefs. Society was organized under the kapu system, a strict code of conduct governed by religion and social hierarchy.

British explorer Captain James Cook arrived in Hawaiʻi in 1778, marking the first recorded contact with Europeans. Cook's arrival brought new technologies, goods, and diseases that dramatically impacted the Hawaiian population.

In 1810, King Kamehameha I unified the Hawaiian Islands, establishing the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi.

Missionaries arrived in the 1820s, introducing Christianity and Western education. Hawaiians adopted elements of Western governance, including a constitutional monarchy by 1840.

The islands became a hub for the sugar and pineapple industries, drawing workers from China, Japan, Portugal, and the Philippines.

In 1893, Queen Liliʻuokalani, the last monarch of Hawaiʻi, was overthrown by a group of American and European settlers with the support of the U.S. government. The Kingdom was replaced by a provisional government and later the Republic of Hawaiʻi.

In 1898, Hawaiʻi was annexed by the United States through the Newlands Resolution, becoming a U.S. territory. The attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 brought Hawaiʻi into the global spotlight, highlighting its strategic importance to the U.S.

On August 21, 1959, Hawaiʻi became the 50th state of the United States following a referendum in which over 94% of voters supported statehood. Today, Hawaiʻi is a unique blend of cultures and is a global destination for its natural beauty, rich history, and vibrant traditions.