1383: "Hawaii, the 50th Star"
Interesting Things with JC #1383: "Hawaii, the 50th Star" – Bells rang, fireworks lit the night, and a new star joined the flag. Hawaii’s statehood wasn’t just politics, it was belonging.
Curriculum - Episode Anchor
Episode Title: Hawaii, the 50th Star
Episode Number: 1383
Host: JC
Audience: Grades 9–12, college intro, homeschool, lifelong learners
Subject Area: U.S. History, Civics, Geography, Cultural Studies
Lesson Overview
Learning Objectives:
Define the historical events that led to Hawaii’s annexation and eventual statehood.
Compare the arguments for and against Hawaiian statehood in the 20th century.
Analyze the significance of the 1959 referendum and its overwhelming outcome.
Explain how Hawaiian culture and symbolism (motto, flower, geography) shaped its identity as the 50th state.
Key Vocabulary
Annexation (an-ik-SAY-shun) — The U.S. annexed Hawaii in 1898, making the islands part of its territory.
Referendum (reh-fuh-REN-dum) — In 1959, Hawaiians voted in a referendum to decide on statehood.
Territory (TER-uh-tor-ee) — Hawaii was a U.S. territory before becoming a state.
Proclamation (prok-luh-MAY-shun) — President Eisenhower signed the proclamation that admitted Hawaii as the 50th state.
Motto (MAH-toh) — Hawaii’s motto, “Ua Mau ke Ea o ka ʻĀina i ka Pono,” reflects cultural and historical values.
Narrative Core
Open: The story begins on August 21, 1959, when Hawaii officially became the 50th state, with celebrations in Honolulu.
Info: Hawaii was annexed in 1898 and became a U.S. territory in 1900, with debates about statehood lasting for decades.
Details: The June 1959 referendum showed massive support for statehood, with a 17-to-1 margin in favor.
Reflection: Hawaii’s admission symbolized both cultural pride and America’s Pacific presence, blending heritage with national identity.
Closing: These are interesting things, with JC.
Iolani Palace in Honolulu with a large crowd and U.S. flag, titled “Hawaii the 50th Star
Transcript
On August 21, 1959, the United States flag gained a new star. That morning, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the proclamation that officially made Hawaii the 50th state in the Union. In Honolulu (ho-noh-loo-loo), the capital city, church bells rang, parades rolled through the streets, and fireworks lit the night sky. It was not just a political act—it was a celebration of identity, heritage, and belonging.
Hawaii’s road to statehood stretched across more than sixty years. The islands had been annexed by the United States in 1898 during the Spanish-American War, largely because of their naval importance in the Pacific. In 1900, Hawaii was declared a U.S. territory, but for decades, full statehood was debated in Congress. Some opposed it, citing distance, culture, and fears of changing the political balance. Others argued that Hawaiians, many of whom were U.S. citizens serving in the military during World War II, had earned the right to join the Union as equals.
The turning point came in June 1959. A referendum was held across the islands. Out of roughly 155,000 voters, more than 132,000 said yes to statehood, while fewer than 8,000 opposed it. That was 17 to 1 in favor. Hawaiians had spoken clearly, and Washington listened. At the same time, the islands embraced an old phrase with renewed meaning: Ua Mau ke Ea o ka ʻĀina i ka Pono (oo-ah mao keh ay-ah oh kah ah-ee-nah ee kah poh-no), the state motto meaning “The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness.” Adopted officially in 1959, it became the words Hawaiians carried into their new future as Americans.
Hawaii became the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. Its land area covers about 10,931 square miles (28,311 square kilometers), spread across more than 130 volcanic islands, though only eight are considered the “main islands.” From the white sands of Waikiki to the lava fields of the Big Island, Hawaii became a living symbol of America’s Pacific reach. Its people also chose the yellow hibiscus as their state flower, honoring a bloom that had long represented both beauty and endurance in Hawaiian culture.
When the first 50-star flag was raised over Fort McHenry in Baltimore, Maryland, on July 4, 1960, it marked the longest-lasting design in U.S. history. That banner still flies today.
For Hawaiians, statehood meant not only representation in Congress, but recognition as Americans in full standing. For the United States, it meant a deeper anchor in the Pacific, one that remains vital to commerce, defense, and culture. And for the world, it showed that even across 2,500 miles (4,023 kilometers) of ocean, unity could be woven together by choice and by vote.
Every American flag you see today—with that balanced field of 50 stars—carries the story of August 21, 1959, when the islands in the Pacific joined the mainland states in one Union.
These are interesting things, with JC.
Student Worksheet
Why did the United States annex Hawaii in 1898?
What were the main arguments against Hawaii becoming a state?
How did Hawaiians vote in the 1959 referendum, and why was this significant?
What is the meaning of Hawaii’s state motto, and why was it adopted in 1959?
Describe one way Hawaiian culture was honored in state symbols.
Teacher Guide
Estimated Time: 1–2 class periods (45–90 minutes)
Pre-Teaching Vocabulary Strategy: Introduce terms (annexation, referendum, proclamation) with visual timelines and sentence frames.
Anticipated Misconceptions: Students may think Hawaii was always part of the U.S.; clarify territorial status before 1959.
Discussion Prompts:
How do geography and distance shape political belonging?
Why might some people have opposed Hawaiian statehood?
How does symbolism (motto, flower, flag) create shared identity?
Differentiation Strategies:
ESL: Use bilingual glossaries and paired reading.
IEP: Provide guided notes and audio supports.
Gifted: Extend research into other U.S. territories and statehood debates.
Extension Activities:
Compare Hawaii’s statehood process with Alaska’s (1959).
Analyze the 50-star flag design in art or graphic design class.
Map activity: trace Hawaii’s geographic position in the Pacific and its strategic importance.
Cross-Curricular Connections:
Geography: Study volcanic island formation.
Civics: Explore the constitutional process of admitting states.
Sociology: Examine cultural blending and identity in Hawaii.
Quiz
In what year did Hawaii officially become a U.S. state?
A. 1945
B. 1959
C. 1960
D. 1900
Answer: BWho signed the proclamation admitting Hawaii into the Union?
A. Franklin Roosevelt
B. Dwight Eisenhower
C. John F. Kennedy
D. Harry Truman
Answer: BWhat percentage of Hawaiian voters supported statehood in 1959?
A. About 50%
B. About 75%
C. About 85%
D. Over 85%
Answer: DWhich flower was chosen as Hawaii’s state symbol?
A. Plumeria
B. Yellow hibiscus
C. Orchid
D. Rose
Answer: BWhere was the first 50-star U.S. flag raised?
A. Pearl Harbor
B. Washington, D.C.
C. Fort McHenry
D. Honolulu
Answer: C
Assessment
Open-Ended Questions:
Explain the significance of Hawaii’s 1959 referendum and what it revealed about the people’s wishes.
How does Hawaii’s cultural identity continue to shape its role within the United States?
3–2–1 Rubric
3: Accurate, complete, thoughtful response with specific details.
2: Partial answer with some missing details.
1: Inaccurate, vague, or incomplete response.
Standards Alignment
U.S. Standards
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.9-10.2 — Determine central ideas of a source and provide an accurate summary. Applied through analysis of Hawaii’s statehood process.
C3.D2.His.14.9-12 — Analyze multiple factors contributing to historical change. Students evaluate political, cultural, and military reasons for Hawaii’s statehood.
C3.D2.Civ.4.9-12 — Explain how statehood processes affect representation and citizenship.
NCSS Theme: Time, Continuity, and Change — Understanding Hawaii’s transition from territory to state.
International Equivalents
UK National Curriculum KS4 History — Understand significant events and their consequences.
IB MYP Individuals & Societies Criterion B — Investigating causes and consequences of historical developments.
Cambridge IGCSE History (0470) — Focus on modern world history, including U.S. expansion and influence.
Show Notes
This episode explores the story of Hawaii’s admission as the 50th U.S. state in 1959, tracing its long journey from annexation to a triumphant referendum. Listeners learn about the cultural symbols—like the hibiscus and the state motto—that reflect Hawaii’s unique heritage while also connecting to its new role in the Union. In the classroom, Hawaii’s statehood offers a vivid case study in democracy, identity, and the expansion of the American nation. Students gain insight into how geography, culture, and politics intersect to shape history, while reflecting on the meaning of belonging and representation in a diverse democracy.
References
U.S. National Archives. (1959). Proclamation 3309—Admission of the State of Hawaii into the Union. https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/executive-orders/1959.html
