President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the Alaska statehood bill into law on July 7, 1958, making Alaska the 49th state.

On July 7, 1958, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the Alaska statehood bill, finally granting Alaska full statehood after years of effort. This important decision allowed Alaska to become the 49th state of the United States on January 3, 1959. The transition from a U.S. territory to a state was important because of Alaska's large land area, abundant natural resources, and strategic location. Eisenhower's signature was the result of many years of lobbying by Alaskans and has played a key role in the state's significance in areas such as the economy, military defense, and environmental conservation.