Throw Back Thursday Women and Politics Part 2: Liliʻuokalani

Since we are in the middle of the primary season,

This is the second in a series on interesting women in politics from around the world.

Since today is Throw Back Thursday I am taking up back to the late 1800's

Liliʻuokalani was the last sovereign monarch of the Hawaiian Kingdom, ruling from January 29, 1891, until the overthrow of the monarchy on January 17, 1893. Born in Honolulu, she was hānai (informally adopted) and educated at the Royal School. She was married to American-born John Owen Dominis, who later became the Governor of Oʻahu. After her brother David Kalākaua's death, she was proclaimed as heir apparent to the throne in 1877.

Liliʻuokalani ascended to the throne on January 29, 1891, and attempted to draft a new constitution to restore the monarchy and voting rights of the economically disenfranchised. However, pro-American elements threatened her attempts to abrogate the Bayonet Constitution, leading to the overthrow of the monarchy on January 17, 1893. The coup d'état established the Republic of Hawaiʻi, but the ultimate goal was the annexation of the islands to the United States.

After an unsuccessful uprising to restore the monarchy, the oligarchical government placed the former queen under house arrest at the ʻIolani Palace. On January 24, 1895, Liliʻuokalani was forced to abdicate the Hawaiian throne, officially ending the deposed monarchy. Despite attempts to restore the monarchy and oppose annexation, the United States annexed Hawaiʻi during the Spanish-American War. Liliʻuokalani lived out her later life as a private citizen and died at her residence, Washington Place, in Honolulu in 1917.