Alaska becomes 49th state in 1959

Alaska became the 49th state in the United States on January 3,1959. At first Alaska was a territory, it had oil, and the United States bought it. Because of it's participation in World War 2, Bob Bartlett showed congress that Alaska and Hawaii needed to both be states. Alaska recieved a new resonance by the Soviet Union. So, Alaska was granted statehood by legislation on January 3,1959.

Alaska is the largest state in the United States it's about 586,412 square. It's over twice the size of Texas, one of the largest states. Alaska is larger than all but 18 sovereign countries. Without Alaska, Brazil and Australia they are larger than the United States, counting territorial waters. Alaska is larger than the combined area of the next three largest states: Texas, California, and Montana. It is also larger than the combined area of the 22 smalles U.S. states.

Written By:Joselyne T.