On August 24, 1912 then President William Taft signed the Second Organic Act, the District of Alaska was now the Territory of Alaska or Alaska Territory. Alaska remained a Territory until January 3, 1959 when it gained statehood.
Pressure Grows For Alaska’s Representation In Congress
When Alaska’s 1899 Criminal Code passed, a movement for Alaska’s statehood began to grow. Among the many things included in the Criminal Code was a tax on liquor. However, the debate was put to rest when the District of Alaska became an organized incorporated territory of the United States, the Territory of Alaska on August 24, 1912.
Alaska’s Bid For Statehood
James Wickersham, a former district judge for Alaska, and Delegate to Congress introduced Alaska’s first statehood bill in 1916. However, the bill failed due to lack of interest from Alaskans. Even then President Warren Harding’s 1923 visit to Alaska, “The Voyage of Understanding”, failed to drum up widespread support for Alaskan statehood.T
The Second Organic Act split Alaska into four divisions. The most heavily populated of the divisions, whose capital was Juneau, considered attempting to separate from the other three divisions in order to become a separate state.
Alaska Becomes The 49th State
During World War II, Alaska’s strategic importance to the United States became clear. However, there were delays on Alaska’s way to becoming a state. Members of the national Republican Party worried Alaska would elect Democrats to Congress. Meanwhile, it was believed Hawaii, also a contender for statehood at the time, would elect Republicans. Ironically, the opposite has happened.
Ultimately, the Alaska Statehood Act passed and Alaska became the 49th state of America on January 3, 1959.
The Merdes Law Firm has been helping injured Alaskans for more than 30 years. It’s who we are. And while we hope you never need us … We’re here if you do. ~ Ward Merdes
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