Which state became the 49th state in 1959?

Which state has the smallest population? Which is the second-largest state by area? Which was the first state to ratify the U.S. Constitution, on December 7, 1787? Which state became the 50th state in 1959? Which two states became the 47th and 48th states in 1912? How many original colonies became the first U.S. states? Which of these was NOT one of the original 13 colonies? Which state was an independent republic from 1836 to 1845 before joining the Union?