Happy 50th Anniversary, Alaska!

Ron Thorne · January-4th-2009, 12:00 AM

50 years ago today, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the document which changed the status of Alaska from U. S. Territory to 49th state, and I was here when it happened!

It continues to be a mixed bag for me in some ways. Granted, we've achieved some parity with other states, and many good things have transpired as a result of statehood, but Alaska's Native people weren't represented as well as they should have been in those days leading up to statehood, in my opinion. And we're still treated as an outpost by many who are simply clueless as to the reality of doing business with Alaska.

Interestingly, the only president I've ever met was Eisenhower, on the steps of the capitol in Washington when he presented me with my Safety Patrol Of The Year award, while still living in Coconut Grove, Florida.

I well remember this day in 1959 ... the headlines in our newspapers, followed by celebrations of all sorts, city-wide.

Pinning the 49th star on a giant flag on the Federal Building in downtown Anchorage.

Scott Dolan · January-4th-2009, 12:15 AM

Ron, are there still a lot of people there from that generation that still oppose statehood?

That's always been a sentiment I've found rather intriguing.

Frontier mindset, baby!

Ron Thorne · January-4th-2009, 01:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott Dolan

Ron, are there still a lot of people there from that generation that still oppose statehood?

That's always been a sentiment I've found rather intriguing.

Frontier mindset, baby!

I doubt it, though it's difficult to tell these days, as compared with 40-50 years ago. There's definitely still an independent spirit, especially among "sourdoughs".

Typical bumper sticker in the 50s/60s:

"We Don't Give A Damn How They Do Things Outside".

"Outside" is a colloquial reference to the "Lower 48" states, and this philosophy remains intact.

jesus marion joseph · January-4th-2009, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron Thorne

Typical bumper sticker in the 50s/60s:

"We Don't Give A Damn How They Do Things Outside".

"Outside" is a colloquial reference to the "Lower 48" states, and this philosophy remains intact.

I once attended a legal seminar in Boston which was chaired by an attorney from Nantucket, who told us that when the islanders have to go off-island they refer to it as "going to America".

Uli · January-4th-2009, 08:39 AM

I think people all around the world are now referring to "going to Alaska" for all kinda things.

tippy · January-4th-2009, 09:02 AM

Happy 50th, Alaska. 50 is the new 30 or something like that. LOL. From Florida to 50 years in Alaska – I guess you wanted a change.

Pete C · January-4th-2009, 09:04 AM

So Sarah Palin is Eisenhower's fault, not Ron's.

bostontricky · January-4th-2009, 09:42 AM

Ron, looks like that big flag is missing a star. I'm assuming that's why those guys are on the ladder.

(The architect prefers the simplicity of the 7-by-7 grid, instead of the official offset version proffered by Ike in the lower photo; anyhow, this point was moot with Hawaii joining the Union just months later)

Ron Thorne · January-4th-2009, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tippy

Happy 50th, Alaska. 50 is the new 30 or something like that. LOL. From Florida to 50 years in Alaska – I guess you wanted a change.

My parents wanted a change, and I was merely a 12 year-old passenger back in 1956. I really love this state and don't regret the move, though. I wasn't altogether happy for the first few years here, however.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bostontricky

Ron, looks like that big flag is missing a star. I'm assuming that's why those guys are on the ladder.

Exactly. Our Fur Rendezvous queen, Rita Martin, is headed up the ladder to pin on the 49th star.

tippy · January-4th-2009, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron Thorne

My parents wanted a change, and I was merely a 12 year-old passenger back in 1956. I really love this state and don't regret the move, though. I wasn't altogether happy for the first few years here, however.

I don’t blame you. I think I would have felt like my parents stoled me far away into the wilderness. I might have called the police on them.

Monte Smith · January-4th-2009, 04:53 PM

Happy 50th, Alaska.

GoodSpeak · January-4th-2009, 10:28 PM

Happy 50th!

A State I hope to one day travel to and visit.

bostontricky · January-5th-2009, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron Thorne

Our Fur Rendezvous queen

(insert Sarah Palin joke of your choice here)

Gentle Giant · January-5th-2009, 09:14 AM

Alaska 5-0! (Insert tom rolls here.)

clinthopson · January-5th-2009, 11:45 AM

Hawaii was #51 at the same time, I believe.

There was great opposition about Hawaii from certain elements because of. . .well, you know.

Mike Schwartz · January-5th-2009, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clinthopson

Hawaii was #51 at the same time, I believe.

There was great opposition about Hawaii from certain elements because of. . .well, you know.

Alaska became #49.

08/21/1959 Hawaii became the 50th and last so far; talk for decades about Puerto Rico becoming #51

bruce massey · January-23rd-2009, 12:01 AM

Our local wolf Romeo. He plays with some dogs out at the glacier. He does have a tendency of eating the little ones though.

Dumb asses take their little pugs and poodles out and let them run free knowing full well that Romeo is in residence here.

clinthopson · January-23rd-2009, 12:11 PM

So has your governor revved up her campaign to secede?

Ron Thorne · January-23rd-2009, 04:31 PM

No, she's too busy trying to put out fires, political and otherwise.

GoodSpeak · January-25th-2009, 08:20 PM

Hey Ron....

Now that the smoke has cleared from all those birthday candles, I just wanted to remind
you that we Californians beat you guys by 109 years and 18 states.

We celebrated our Sesquicentennial back in 2000...er, that is,
not that it really matters, you see

Hey, just messin' with ya.