Passage: The United States purchased Alaska from the Russian Empire on March 30, 1867, for 7.2 million U.S. dollars at approximately two cents per acre ($4.74 / km). The area went through several administrative changes before becoming organized as a territory on May 11, 1912. It was admitted as the 49th state of the U.S. on January 3, 1959.

Question: Based on this passage, when did alaska become a state of america?
Steam of consciousness below:
The important part for answering this question is: It was admitted as the 49th state of the U.S. on January 3, 1959.
So, the answer is January 3 , 1959.