Honolulu, Hawaii

1941Attack on Pearl Harbor: On December 7, Japan launched a surprise attack on the U.S. Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor, killing 2,403 Americans, sinking or damaging 19 ships, and destroying 188 aircraft. The attack brought the United States into World War II.

1893Overthrow of Hawaiian Kingdom: American sugar planters, backed by U.S. Marines, overthrew Queen Lili'uokalani and established a provisional government. The coup ended the Hawaiian monarchy after nearly a century of rule.

1959Hawaii Becomes 50th State: Hawaii was admitted as the 50th state on August 21, making it the most recent state and the only one composed entirely of islands. The vote was 17-to-1 in favor of statehood.

2023Maui Wildfires: Wind-driven wildfires devastated the historic town of Lahaina on Maui, killing over 100 people and destroying thousands of structures. It was the deadliest U.S. wildfire in over a century.

1961Barack Obama Born in Honolulu: Barack Obama was born at Kapiolani Medical Center on August 4. He grew up in Honolulu and became the 44th President — the first president born in Hawaii.

1778Captain Cook Arrives: British explorer Captain James Cook became the first European to reach Hawaii, landing on Kauai. His arrival began the transformation of Hawaiian society through trade, disease, and Western influence.

1898U.S. Annexation: The United States formally annexed Hawaii as a territory, driven by the strategic importance of Pearl Harbor and the economic interests of American sugar planters.

1810Kamehameha Unifies Hawaii: King Kamehameha I unified the Hawaiian Islands under a single monarchy, establishing Honolulu as the kingdom's commercial center.

1993Apology Resolution: The U.S. Congress passed a formal apology to Native Hawaiians for the 1893 overthrow, acknowledging that it was illegal — though sovereignty has never been restored.

2011APEC Summit: Honolulu hosted the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, showcasing Hawaii's role as America's bridge to the Pacific Rim.