On August 12, 1898, a formal ceremony in Honolulu marked the transfer of sovereignty over Hawaii from the Republic of Hawaii to the United States. American officials raised the U.S. flag at ‘Iolani Palace while the Hawaiian flag was lowered. Many Native Hawaiians and supporters boycotted the ceremony in protest. The annexation followed years of political and economic pressure on the Hawaiian monarchy and government. Hawaii later became a U.S. territory and eventually the 50th state. The date remains significant in discussions of imperialism and indigenous rights.
