The MacDonalds: Admission Day!

One of my favorite holidays when teaching was Admission Day (the day Hawaii became a State). It is always right after the school year starts, so you get a much needed 3 day weekend after long hours of back to school planning! This year was the 50th anniversary, but there wasn't really any hooplah...guess some Hawaiians might still be a little bitter. I found some interesting articles below....and then keep reading to see how we celebrated our holiday...

Hawaii’s Statehood Day commemorates Hawaii’s admission as a state on August 21, 1959. In 1898 the United States annexed Hawaii, which was declared as a “necessary” navy base for the conduct of the Spanish-American War. The United States’ interests coveted the islands for some time. During World War II, Oahu served as the command post for the US operations in the Pacific. Large portions of Hawaii were turned over for the US military bases. After the war, two-thirds of the residents favored statehood.

However, because of the many ethnicities present, there was resistance to Hawaii’s statehood from segregated southern states. A primary election took place in Hawaii on June 27, 1959, and various statehood propositions received many votes on that day. Following the certification of the election results, President Eisenhower signed a proclamation on August 21, 1959, declaring Hawaii to be the 50th state. This was known as Admission Day until 2001.

The third Friday in August is Admission Day in Hawaii. It celebrates Hawaii's admission to the Union on August 21, 1959. The following article appeared in the New York Times on August 21, 1959 - the actual day of Hawaii's statehood.

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Hawaii Becomes the 50th State; New Flag Shown

Eisenhower Hails 'Historic Occasion' as Proclamation Joins Territory to Union

'FULL SISTER' WELCOMED

Star Staggered in 9 Rows of 6 and 5 Each in Latest National Standard

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^{By W. H. LAWRENCE}
_{Special to THE NEW YORK TIMES}

Washington, Aug. 21, 1959 -- Hawaii was officially proclaimed as the fiftieth state of the United States today by President Eisenhower at bipartisan White House ceremonies.

The Presidential action was followed immediately by the unfurling of a new fifty-star flag, which will not become official until next July 4. The thirteen alternate red and white stripes remain unchanged, but the stars on a field of blue are arranged in nine alternate staggered rows of six and five stars each.

The President welcomed the new state along with Alaska, admitted earlier this year. Not since 1912, when Arizona and New Mexico were added to the Union, had any new states been admitted.

I was off from work with the babies, so Tiff and I took the kids to a park down the hill and had a picnic. Afterwards we made a quick run to the commissary and then to their community pool for a swim. We had dinner at their house and then I put my girls to bed there and Tiffany and I worked on things for Mason's and Kailee's joint 1st birthday party. We can't believe they are already 11 months old!!!!! We gave out the invites today, so I'll post a pic below...I LOVE the way it turned out! Much more fun to come!!!!!

Kailee and Mason exploring...