Robs' Blog: incoherencies from an american ex-pat in exotic beijing,
  or: how i learned to stop worrying and love bureaucracy

Since the celebration of 49th anniversaries seems to be a bit in vogue these days, I think it's fitting to note that the 49th anniversary of Hawaii's inclusion into the United States will be celebrated on August 21st.

Yep, that was the date 49 years ago that the native Polynesian people, without any influence from Americans, Europeans, or other foreign interests, willfully decided on a course that would result with the destruction of some of their most beautiful lands, a severe impact to their native cultures, as well as an influx of foreigners that now has reduced the native population to 16 percent... not including the large tourist or military population.

Then again, it is certainly heartwarming to see a native son like Barack Obama has done so well.

For more information see:

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawaii

And, in particular, the History section.