"The Greatest Day In Alaska History"

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Monday marked the 50th year since Congress voted on the Alaska Statehood Act. Photo courtesy the AP.

Jamey Kirk

Story Created: Jun 30, 2008 at 12:46 PM AKDT

Story Updated: Jun 30, 2008 at 12:46 PM AKDT

50 years ago on June 30th, the U.S. Senate voted 64 to 20 in favor of Alaska statehood. In an interview with the Daily Alaska Empire, Congressional Delegate E.L. "Bob" Bartlett called it the greatest day in Alaska history.

The following week, on Monday, July 7, 1958, President Dwight Eisenhower signed the Alaska Statehood Act into law.

Alaska officially joined the union, becoming the 49th state, on January 3, 1959.

Vic Fischer, a former territorial and state legislator and Alaska Constitutional Convention delegate, told the Juneau Empire that following the senate vote, celebrations began across the state.