In what year did Alaska and Hawaii become the last states to join the United States?

Alaska and Hawaii were the last states to be admitted to the United States, with both achieving statehood in the late 1950s. Alaska became the 49th state on January 3, 1959, followed by Hawaii, which became the 50th state on August 21, 1959. The significance of this timing lies in the context of post-World War II America and the expansion of the United States, as these admissions reflected a shift in American geography and demographics. Thus, the year 1959 is pivotal as it marks the culmination of this particular era of statehood in the United States.