What is the 50th state of the United States?

The 50th state of the United States is Hawaii. Hawaii was admitted to the Union on August 21, 1959, making it the last state to join the United States. This event marked a significant expansion of the nation’s geographical reach, as Hawaii is located in the central Pacific Ocean, far from the contiguous United States.

Hawaii's admission as a state followed a long history of colonization and annexation, which began in the late 19th century. Its unique cultural and geographic characteristics have made it an integral part of the United States while retaining its distinct identity.

The other options represent states that were admitted to the Union much earlier. Alaska, for instance, became the 49th state in 1959, while California and Florida were admitted in 1850 and 1845, respectively. This timeline illustrates that Hawaii holds the distinction of being the most recent state to join the United States.