Sanford Dole’s Hawaiian Republic stands until the…

Sanford Dole’s Hawaiian Republic stands until the United States formally annexes the island group in 1898.

On July 4, 1898, the U.S. Congress had passed a joint resolution to annex the Republic of Hawaii.

Known as the Newlands Resolution (named after Congressman Francis Newlands), it comes into effect on August 12, 1898.

A formal ceremony marking the transfer of Hawaiian state sovereignty to the United States is held this day on the steps of ʻIolani Palace where the Hawaiian flag is lowered and the American flag raised in its place.

Under the terms of the Resolution, Dole retains the powers he had previously exercised as President of Hawaii while Congress develops a new Hawaiian territorial frame of government.