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HISTORY

The Claim

The United States annexed Hawaii in 1898.

Verified by Lenz ·

The Short Version

The historical record supports this claim. Official U.S. records and standard historical references identify 1898 as the year Hawaii was annexed, with the Newlands Resolution enacted on July 7 and the formal transfer occurring on August 12. The main caveats concern the exact milestone being referenced and the contested legitimacy of the process, not the year itself.

Caveats

  • "Annexed in 1898" can refer either to the July 7, 1898 legal enactment or the August 12, 1898 formal transfer ceremony.
  • The annexation faced substantial Native Hawaiian opposition, including the 1897 anti-annexation petitions.
  • Some historians and advocates dispute the legitimacy of annexation by joint resolution rather than treaty, but that debate does not change that U.S. sources record annexation in 1898.

The Receipts

  1. Joint Resolution to Provide for Annexing the Hawaiian Islands to the United States (1898)

    National Archives

  2. Annexation of Hawaii, 1898 - state.gov

    state.gov

  3. A Guide to the United States' History of Recognition, Diplomatic, and Consular Relations, by Country, since 1776: Hawaii - Office of the Historian

    Office of the Historian

  4. Newlands Resolution Annexing the Hawaiian Islands to the United States

    National Archives

  5. Petition Against the Annexation of Hawaii

    DocsTeach (National Archives)

  6. Hawaiian Monarchy Overthrown; Territory of Hawaii - Nisei Veterans Legacy

    Nisei Veterans Legacy

  7. Hawaii Annexed to the United States | Law | Research Starters

    EBSCO

  8. The Annexation of Hawaii - Teaching American History

    Teaching American History

  9. The Annexation of Hawaii | U.S. Imperialism | Queen Liliuokalani | National Leader in Civic Education Resources | Bill of Rights Institute

    Bill of Rights Institute

  10. July 8, 1898: Hawai'i Annexation - Zinn Education Project

    Zinn Education Project

+ 2 more sources — see the full list on Lenz

Filed Under

HawaiiUnited States

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