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Ever since Hawai’i was annexed by the U.S. in 1898, becoming a Territory, moves were taken towards achieving Statehood. Many politicians from Hawai’i were working towards this goal long before the Japanese attack on the U.S.Navy at Pearl Harbor on December 7 1941. After World War II, the U.S. Congress not only realized the vital geographic importance of Hawai’i, but were also grateful to the many servicemen and women from Hawai’i who proudly served in the U.S. military during World War II. But there was a lot of political wrangling over Statehood during the late 1940's and into the 1950's.

Finally, on March 11 1959 the U.S. Senate passed the Hawai‘i Statehood Bill by 75 to 15 votes. The next day, March 12 1959, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the same Bill by 323 to 89 votes. On March 18 1959 the Act to Provide for the Admission of the State of Hawai‘i was signed by President Eisenhower.

On June 27 1959, a plebiscite was held in Hawai'i and 94.3% of the Hawai’i electorate voted for Statehood. On August 21 1959, President Eisenhower made Hawai‘i Statehood official by signing the proclamation that welcomed Hawai‘i as the 50th state of the U.S.A. and unveiled the new 50-star U.S. flag..

The $9 stamp (above right) prepays the Same Day rate. It shows a view of canoers and surfers on a wave off Waikiki Beach with Diamond Head in the background, outlined by "50" in large numerals. The illustration comes from a postcard published by the former Los Angeles Steamship Company which served Hawai'i prior to WWII.

The $9 minisheet (above) prepays the Same Day rate. It shows a Hawaiian boy newspaper seller holding up the March 13 1959 issue of the Honolulu Star-Bulletin which proudly says "STATEHOOD!" in big red letters. The illustration is courtesy of the Hawai'i State Archives and has been colorized. The original photo was black and white.

The special postmark for this issue depicts a star wuth the numerals 50 inside. Each of the 50 states of the U.S.A. is represented by a star on the national flag - the "Stars and Stripes". Hawai'i was the last and 50th state to join the union.