Imperialism in heavy syrup

Why not annex pineapple to your 4th of July celebration? asks Sanford Dole's corporation in the July 1957 Family Circle. Two years before statehood, 15 years after Pearl Harbor, the islands were increasingly featured in late 50's advertising as a ready source of exotica and produce.

That's ice cream with crushed pineapple in the middle, if you're wondering. No, I don't know why the kid is chewing on the table.

The association with Independence Day is fitting, since Sanford Dole loved independence so much he overthrew Hawaii's monarchy, and then declared himself ruler of the independent republic of Hawaii rather than letting anti-imperialist President Grover Cleveland restore the queen to her throne.

They don't make 'em like Grover Cleveland anymore.

Perhaps 60 years from now Halliburton ads will urge us to center our 4th of July menus around Iraqi dates.