On March 18, 1959, a pivotal piece of legislation, formally known as "An Act to Provide for the Admission of the State of Hawaii into the Union" (Public Law 86–3, 73 Stat. 4), was enacted by the United States Congress. This significant statute, signed into law by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, fundamentally transformed the political status of the islands. Its primary effect was to dissolve the existing Territory of Hawaii, paving the way for its establishment as the 50th state to officially join the Union. While the Act became law in March, the full realization of Hawaii's statehood didn't take effect until August 21, 1959. To this day, Hawaii holds the unique distinction of being the most recent state admitted to the United States.