U.S. States in 1957: 48 Stars on the Flag
In 1957, the United States had **48 states**—the same number since Arizona's admission in 1912.
The 48 States (1912–1959)
- All current states **except Alaska and Hawaii**.
- Flag: **48 stars** (6 rows of 8) – used 1912–1959.
- Pledge of Allegiance: "one Nation indivisible" (no "under God" until 1954).
Path to 50
| State | Admitted | # | Context |
|---|
| Alaska | Jan 3, 1959 | 49th | Purchased 1867 ($7.2M); territory 1912; statehood push 1950s |
| Hawaii | Aug 21, 1959 | 50th | Annexed 1898; territory 1900; statehood push post-WWII |
1957 Context
- President: Eisenhower (2nd term).
- Population: ~171M (vs. 335M today).
- Territories: Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guam, USVI, American Samoa, Panama Canal Zone.
- Civil Rights: Little Rock Nine (Sept 1957); Civil Rights Act 1957 passed.
- Space Race: Sputnik 1 (Oct 1957) – shock; NASA created 1958.
Why It Matters
48-state era = post-WWII boom, suburbanization, Cold War onset, pre-interstate highways (1956 Act just passed), pre-Civil Rights Act. The "Lower 48" term originates here.
Wanderlust World