Republic of Hawaii

As United States Marines marched past ‘Iolani Palace on their way to their peacekeeping stations, they dipped their U.S. flag while passing by, as a sign of respect to the Queen. The 152 sailors never entered the Palace grounds, never fired a shot, and did not participate in the takeover of any buildings.

Dissolution of the Republic

Upon the inauguration of the more imperialist William McKinley as President of the United States on March 4, 1897, the Republic of Hawai‘i resumed negotiations for annexation. From the President's perspective the islands had gained a new strategic relevance in the wake of the Spanish-American War. On June 16 of that year, a new treaty of annexation was signed. As the Senate appeared uncertain to ratify the treaty, its supporters took extreme measures by passing the Newlands Resolution through which the cession was accepted, ratified and confirmed by a vote of 42 to 21. The House of Representatives accepted the Newlands Resolution by a vote of 209 to 91. McKinley signed the bill on July 7, 1898. The formal transfer of sovereignty took place on August 12, 1898 with the hoisting of the flag of the United States over ‘Iolani Palace.

Related Topics:
William McKinley - March 4 - 1897 - Spanish-American War - June 16 - Senate - House of Representatives - Newlands Resolution - July 7 - 1898 - August 12

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