Fifty-First State

Many people have suggested that New York City become the Fifty-First State.

21 March 1959, New York Times, "Can City Secede? Well - Yes and No," pg. 12:
Can this city of 8,000,000, beset by tax problems, legally secede from the rest of the state? Can it become the fifty-first state of the Union without resorting to armed rebellion?

25 March 1959, New York Times, pg. 1:
CITY HALL ECHOES
TO SECESSION CRY

Democrats Call for End to
Albany Fiscal "Slavery"

18 May 1969, New York Times, "Why Are We In New York?" by Norman Mailer, pg. SM96:
We must look to become a state of the United States separate from New York State: the Fifty-First, in fact, of the United States. New York City State, or The State of New York City. It is strange on the tongue, but not so strange.