03 January - Alaska was admitted as the 49th U.S. state

 

Alaska was admitted as the 49th U.S. state on 03 January 1959. It became the first U.S. state located outside of the contiguous United States. Prior to its statehood, Alaska was a U.S. territory since the United States purchased it from Russia in 1867. The official ceremony marking Alaska's statehood took place in Juneau, the capital of the territory, on 03 January 1959.