Video: '49th Star! Alaska Statehood & New Flag 1959/1/5'

(Saturday, January 3, 1959, 12:02 p.m. EST) — Alaska, located in the northwest extremity of North America, was admitted as the 49th U.S. state today As President Dwight Eisenhower signed the document of proclamation at the long table at which he meets his Cabinet..

Juneau, the territorial capital, continued as state capital, and William A. Egan was sworn in as the first governor.

Video: 'Alaska Statehood Signing Ceremony'

Video: 'The 49th Star'