"51st state" is a phrase used in the United States to refer to the idea of adding an additional state to the current 50-state country. Proposals for a 51st state may include granting statehood to one of the U.S. territories or Washington, D.C., splitting an existing state, or annexing part or all of a sovereign country. The U.S. has not admitted any new states to the union since 1959, when both Alaska (on January 3) and Hawaii (on August 21) were admitted. Before that, no states had been admitted since Arizona in February 1912. Before Alaska and Hawaii became U.S. states, the equivalent expression was "the 49th state".
Alaska is admitted as the 49th US state
"51st state" is a phrase used in the United States to refer to the idea of adding an additional state to the current 50-state country.
Historical Significance
"51st state" is a phrase used in the United States to refer to the idea of adding an additional state to the current 50-state country.
Events Before
The European Economic Community comes into effect, better known as the European Common Market
The European Economic Community comes into effect, better known as the European Common Market
Actress Jayne Mansfield and public relations manager Paul Mansfield's divorce is finalized, after 7-1/2 years of marriag
Actress Jayne Mansfield and public relations manager Paul Mansfield's divorce is finalized, after 7-1/2 years of marriage
"Great Balls of Fire" by Jerry Lee Lewis reaches #1 on the UK pop chart
"Great Balls of Fire" is a 1957 popular song recorded by American rock and roll musician Jerry Lee Lewis on Sun Records and featured in the 1957 movie Jamboree.
American actress Jayne Mansfield (24) weds Hungarian-American bodybuilder Mickey Hargitay (32) at the Wayfarers Chapel i
American actress Jayne Mansfield (24) weds Hungarian-American bodybuilder Mickey Hargitay (32) at the Wayfarers Chapel in Rancho Palos Verdes, California; divorce in 1964
Actress Agnes Moorehead (57) divorces actor and film director Robert Gist (40) after 5 years of marriage
Actress Agnes Moorehead (57) divorces actor and film director Robert Gist (40) after 5 years of marriage
Events After
Fausto Coppi dies
Fausto Coppi cyclist, known for italian cyclist, died on 1960-01-02. Angelo Fausto Coppi was an Italian cyclist, the dominant international cyclist of the years after the Second World War.
A photograph of a 13-year-old South African boy in a torn vest working in a mine is published in the Daily Herald; emplo
A photograph of a 13-year-old South African boy in a torn vest working in a mine is published in the Daily Herald; employing a 'native' under 18 in the mines is illegal under the Native Labour Regulation Act
LaMar Clark sets pro boxing record of 44 consecutive knockouts
LaMar Clark sets pro boxing record of 44 consecutive knockouts
Comedic actor Bob Denver (25) weds Maggie Ryan in California
Comedic actor Bob Denver (25) weds Maggie Ryan in California
American songwriter Adolph Green (45) weds (for 3rd and final time) American actress and singer Phyllis Newman (24) in N
American songwriter Adolph Green (45) weds (for 3rd and final time) American actress and singer Phyllis Newman (24) in NYC, until his death in 2002
More from the 1950s
Sputnik 1 Launch
The Soviet Union launches Sputnik 1, the world's first artificial satellite, igniting the Space Age and the US-Soviet Space Race.
space explorationscience technology
"The Bob Cummings Show" premieres on NBC (later moves to CBS)
"The Bob Cummings Show" premieres on NBC (later moves to CBS)
death
Emil Jannings dies
Emil Jannings, Swiss-born German actor, known for german actor, died on 1950-01-02. Emil Jannings was a Swiss-born German actor who was popular in Hollywood films in the 1920s.
The European Economic Community comes into effect, better known as the European Common Market
The European Economic Community comes into effect, better known as the European Common Market
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened on January 3, 1959?
- "51st state" is a phrase used in the United States to refer to the idea of adding an additional state to the current 50-state country. Proposals for a 51st state may include granting statehood to one of the U.S. territories or Washington, D.C., splitting an existing state, or annexing part or all of a sovereign country.
- Why is Alaska is admitted as the 49th US state significant?
- "51st state" is a phrase used in the United States to refer to the idea of adding an additional state to the current 50-state country.