On this day, January the 3rd, in the year of 1959, Alaska was admitted as the 49th state of the United States of America, the second to last state to join the Union.

Being a part of the United State since America purchased the land from the Russian Empire in 1867, Alaska proved itself to be a vital asset to America, providing vast natural resources and a strategic location in both militaristic and economic terms.

With that, Alaskans felt that it was time for them to become a state, however, what would become the nation’s farthest-reaching state only had a population of around 220,000, so, some politicking and conditions came with the admission.

Alaska was then a Democratic leaning state, so some Republicans didn’t want them as a state, as it would shift the tides of Congress.

At the same time, Hawaii, a then Republican leaning state, was pushing for statehood, so, some Democrats didn’t want it as a state for the same reasons.

Comprising, both states were added to the Union, Hawaii being admitted later on in the year in August.

Today, Alaska’s congressional delegation consists of only Republicans and Hawaii’s all Democrats.

Additionally, the federal government would own most of the land in Alaska, around 60 percent (Eisenhower Library) (Constitution Center) (University of Virginia) (History) (Alaska History and Culture Studies).

To read more daily facts and tidbits and about Alaska, see the Barron Perspectives “On this Day Archives” webpage and “On This Day – October 18th (Alaska)”.