Statehood Day in 2025

When is Hawaiian Statehood Day?

Statehood Day is a state holiday in Hawaii, USA observed on the third Friday in August.

Also known as Admission Day, it commemorates the admission of the state to the Union in 1959.

History of Hawaiian Statehood Day

From as early as 1849, there had been several attempts to make Hawaii a part of the United States.

Hawaii was annexed by the American in 1898, becoming the Territory of Hawaii.

In the 1940s, ballots during elections showed an increasing majority in favour of statehood and in 1959, the U.S. Congress approved a statehood bill, the Hawaii Admission Act. This was followed by a referendum in which Hawaiian residents voted 94% in support of statehood.

On August 21st 1959 (which was the third Friday in August in that year), President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the proclamation making Hawaii the 50th state.

Statehood Day was first celebrated as a state holiday in 1969.

Did you know?

Outside of Hawaii, the third Friday of August is celebrated as "Hawaiian Shirt Day", when people are encouraged to wear a Hawaiian shirt as a way of celebrating this event.