July 7, 1898 – US President William McKinley of Ohio signs the Newlands Resolution annexing Hawaii as a territory of the United States. Fresh from preserving the US in the Civil War, the Grand Old Party adopts the European style aka imperialism. The creation of the Territory of Hawaii was the final step in a long history of dwindling Hawaiian sovereignty, and divided the local population. The annexation was opposed among the Polynesian population, and occurred without a referendum of any kind. Between September 11 and October 2, 1897, the Hui Aloha 'Aina and Hui Kulai'aina groups organised a mass petition drive that obtained 21,269 signatures on the "Petition Against Annexation"—more than half of the 39,000 native Hawaiians. Didja know? The Hawaiian sovereignty movement still disputes the legality of the acquisition of Hawaii under the United States Constitution. However, the U.S. Supreme Court gave tacit recognition to the legitimacy of Hawaii's annexation in DeLima v. Bidwell, 182 U.S. 1, 196 (1901). What's next? Gaza?