This Day in History: August 21

(WKYT) - In the lead-up to America turning 250 years old, we are looking back at every day in ‘This Day In History.’

On this day in history, in 1959, Hawaii became the 50th state of the United States.

Sitting President Dwight D. Eisenhower stated his support for the idea of statehood for Hawaii early in his tenure as President. Still, appropriate legislation failed to make it to the Oval Office until the Hawaii Admission Act of 1969.

In June of 1959, Hawaii citizens voted on a referendum to accept the statehood bill. On August 21 of that year, the official proclamation was signed.