Ordered list of when each state joined the United States
State names and borders on a United States map In the same order in which the original 13 states ratified the Constitution in 1787, additional states were admitted to the Union. The 50 individual states that make up the United States are co-sovereign entities with the central
The 50 individual states that make up the United States are co-sovereign entities with the central government. Due to the division of powers between the federal government and the individual states, Americans hold dual citizenship. [1]The full official names of the states of Kentucky, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia all include the word "commonwealth" rather than "state."
The 50 states make up the main divisions of the USA. They have all the authority that isn't specifically given to or forbidden to the federal government by the United States Constitution. Concerns such as intrastate commerce, elections, the formation of local governments, public school policy, and the construction and maintenance of non-federal roads are generally under the purview of state governments. Republican principles form the basis for each state's constitution and government, which consists of an executive, legislative, and judicial branch. [2]
The United States Congress is a bicameral legislature made up of senators and representatives from all 50 states. Each state has two senators and at least one representative, with the size of each state's delegation in the House of Representatives determined by the state's population as of the most recent decennial census required by the Constitution. Further, the Electoral College, the body that chooses the President and Vice President, allows each state to send a number of voters to Congress equal to its total number of representatives and senators. [4]
The power to Union" target="_blank">admit new states into the Union is delegated to Congress by Article IV, Section 3, Clause 1 of the Constitution. There are now fifty states, up from the original thirteen that existed when the United States was founded in 1776. All newly admitted states have been given full voting rights. [5]
Below is a table with information about when each of the 50 states became independent. After signing on to the United States Declaration of Independence in July 1776, the first 13 states formally entered the Union of States in the years between 1777 and 1781 by ratifying the Articles of Confederation. (See below for a separate table detailing the ratification dates of the AoC.) The states are listed in the order in which they ratified the Constitution in 1787 and thus became part of the newly formed (and still existing) federal government. All subsequent admission dates reflect the statutory deadlines established by Congress. [a]
List of U S states [ edit ]
(accepted or confirmed)
Delaware (ratified)
Pennsylvania (ratified)
New Jersey (ratified)
.svg/23px-Flag_of_Georgia_(U.S._state).svg.png)
Georgia (ratified)
Connecticut (ratified)
Massachusetts (ratified)
Maryland (ratified)
Carolina del Sur (ratified)
It's in the Granite State, New Hampshire1 (ratified)
Virginia (ratified)
New York (ratified)
State of North Carolina1 (ratified)
The Ocean State: Rhode Island1 (ratified)
Vermont (admitted)
Kentucky (admitted)
Tennessee (admitted)
Ohio (admitted)
Louisiana (admitted)
Indiana (admitted)
Mississippi (admitted)
Illinois (admitted)
Alabama (admitted)
Maine (admitted)
Missouri (admitted)
Arkansas (admitted)
Michigan (admitted)
Florida (admitted)
Texas (admitted)
Iowa (admitted)
Wisconsin (admitted)
California (admitted)
Minnesota (admitted)
Oregon (admitted)
Kansas (admitted)
A state located in western Virginia. (admitted)
Nevada (admitted)
Nebraska (admitted)
Colorado (admitted)
That Place Called North Dakota1 (admitted)
Dakota (State) (admitted)
Montana (admitted)
Washington (admitted)
Idaho (admitted)
Wyoming (admitted)
Utah (admitted)
Oklahoma (admitted)
New Mexico (admitted)
Arizona (admitted)
Alaska (admitted)
Hawaii (admitted)
Conventions to ratify the Articles of Confederation [ edit ]
On this day in 1777, the Second Continental Congress voted to send the Articles of Confederation to the individual states for ratification. After being ratified by all 13 states, the Articles of Confederation took effect on March 1, 1781. The current federal government, established under the Constitution, succeeded the general government under the Articles on March 4, 1789. [45]
Virginia 
South Carolina 
New York 
Rhode Island 
Connecticut 
Georgia 
New Hampshire 
Pennsylvania 
Massachusetts 
New Jersey 
Delaware .svg/30px-Seal_of_Maryland_(reverse).svg.png)
Maryland See also [ edit ]
- The admission of California to the Union was a part of the Compromise of 1850, a set of legislative acts passed by Congress.
- Violence between anti-slavery and pro-slavery groups in Kansas Territory occurred frequently between 1854 and 1861, a period known as "Bleeding Kansas."
- The Enabling Act of 1889 gave the people of the Dakota, Montana, and Washington territories the legal right to organize themselves into new states and join the Union.
- The Oklahoma Enabling Act granted the people of Oklahoma and the Indian Territory the right to organize a state government and seek admission to the Union as a single state. The New Mexico and Arizona Admission Acts did the same for the people of those territories. call for a vote on whether or not the two areas should be united as a single state
- This was made possible by the Alaska Statehood Act, which officially made January 3, 1959, the day Alaska was admitted to the Union as the 49th state.
Notes [ edit ]
- ^ None of the 11 states that seceded from the Union and later rejoined it—Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas—are included on this list because of the Civil War. Similarly, the federal government does not recognize the states' separation from the Union, so each state's "readmission to representation in Congress" after the war is valid. Another point is that the Constitution is silent on the issue of whether or not states have the power to secede from the Union, but the Supreme Court ruled in Texas v. White (1869) that a state cannot secede without the consent of the other states. [7]
- ^ The "Three Lower Counties Upon Delaware" are another name for this area. On June 15, 1776, the Delaware Assembly passed a resolution officially ending the colony's relationship with Britain and establishing the three counties as a new state called "the Government of the Counties of New Castle." Both Kent and Sussex Upon the Delaware" [9]
- ^ West of the Connecticut River (in present-day southern Vermont), New Hampshire claimed territory that was also staked by New York. Between 1749 and 1764, New Hampshire's provincial governor, Benning Wentworth, issued roughly 135 grants for this unoccupied land. The Green Mountain Boys emerged from the ensuing "New Hampshire Grants" dispute, and the Vermont Republic was formally established not long after. Royal decree from King George III in 1764 ended New Hampshire's claim to the land, and in 1790, New York ceded its claim to the land to Vermont for $30,000.
- ^ Separating the "District of Kentucky" from the rest of Virginia and approving its statehood was an act of the Virginia General Assembly passed on December 18, 1789. [17]
- ^ Ohio's official statehood date is shrouded in mystery. An act "authorizing the inhabitants of Ohio to form a Constitution and state government, and admission of Ohio into the Union" (Sess) was passed on April 30, 1802 by the 7th Congress. 1, ch 40, 2 Stat. 173) An act "providing for the execution of the laws of the United States in the State of Ohio" (Sess) was passed by the same Congress on February 19, 1803. 2, ch 7, 2 Stat. 201) On the other hand, neither statute established a specific date for the beginning of statehood ceremonies. In 1953, the 83rd Congress officially recognized Ohio as a state by passing a Joint resolution "for admitting the State of Ohio into the Union" (Pub. L. 83-204, 67 Stat. 407). Wednesday, August 7th, 1953 ) which fixed the first of March, 1803 as the day it occurred [20]
- ^ On June 19, 1819, the Massachusetts General Court passed enabling legislation separating the "District of Maine" from the rest of the State (an action approved by Maine voters on July 19, 1819, by 17,001 to 7,132); then, on February 25, 1820, Massachusetts Governor John Adams signed the bill into law. an additional measure was passed recognizing Maine's impending statehood. [17]
- ^ The Mexican Department of Alta California encompassed the majority of the territory that Mexico ceded to the United States in 1848 after the Bear Flag Revolt and the Mexican-American War. Part of the Compromise of 1850 was the Act of Congress that made California the 31st state.
- ^ It was on May 13, 1862, that the General Assembly of the Restored Government of Virginia passed an act authorizing the formation of West Virginia. Later, in Virginia v. West Virginia (1871), the Supreme Court implicitly affirmed that the secessionist counties of Virginia did have the requisite consents to become a new state. [36]
- ^ a b The twin-born states of North and South Dakota are the only ones in the United States. To prevent anyone from knowing which state became official first, President Benjamin Harrison shuffled the statehood documents before signing them. Since "n" comes before "s" in the alphabet, North Dakota is traditionally counted as the 39th state and South Dakota as the 40th. [39][40]
References [ edit ]
- ^ Edward Erler Arguments for and Against Citizenship Amendment XIV That Group Called the Heritage Foundation
- ^ "The Minnesota Legislature: Frequently Asked Questions" Legislative Assembly of Minnesota
- ^ Kristin D Burnett Congressional Representation (Census 2010: A Briefing Book) (PDF) U S Government Agency for Economic Analysis and Statistics
- ^ The Works of Einer R. Elhauge Article II Electors and Presidential Elections: Essays This organization is called the Heritage Foundation.
- ^ Known as the "Doctrine of the Equality of States," this term describes a set of principles that hold Justia com
- ^ Merrill Jensen published his seminal paper in 1959. Understanding the Social and Constitutional Background of the American Revolution, 1774-1781: The Articles of Confederation Press of the University of Wisconsin pp xi, 184 ISBN 978-0-299-00204-6
- ^ Texas v. White, 74 U.S. 700 (1868) Justia com
- A. B. C. D. E. F. G. H. In the words of John R. Vile (2005) Volume 1: Letters A through M of the Constitutional Convention of 1787: A Comprehensive Encyclopedia of America's Founding ABC-CLIO p 658 ISBN 1-85109-669-8
- ^ "State of Delaware" Delaware gov You have reached the Government Data Center of the State of Delaware.
- ^ Brief History of Pennsylvania from 1776 to 1861 (From Independence to the Civil War) PA gov Commission for History and Museums in Pennsylvania
- ^ "Minutes of the Convention of 1787" NJ gov It's the New Jersey Department of State1
- ^ Historically Speaking, January 9 loc gov The United States Congress Library
- ^ The 26th of July: A Day in History loc gov The Congress Library
- ^ November 21st, a day in history loc gov Congressional Library
- ^ In other words, "the 14th state." Explore Vermont's Past Museum of Vermont History Date of original publication: May 30, 2013
- ^ "State Historical Park at Constitution Square" americanheritage com U.S.A.: American Heritage Publishing, Inc. Retrieved April 23, 2019
- ^ a b It is titled, "Official Name and Status History of the Various States and U.S. Territories." TheGreenPapers com
- ^ "An Overview of State History" TN gov Department of State of Tennessee Original version posted on April 10, 2016
- ^ In Blue, Frederick J. Time Period: (Fall of 2002) Date Ohio Became a State The Bulletin of the Ohio Academy of History This version was archived from the original on September 11, 2010.
- ^ A Resolution to the Confusion Over Ohio's Statehood
- ^ Information Quickly About Louisiana louisiana gov Page archived from the original on March 24, 2013 Retrieved June 15, 2016
- ^ The Mississippi Bicentennial Celebration Board extends its warmest greetings to you. Commission for the 200th Anniversary of Mississippi's Statehood Retrieved Wednesday, February 16th, 2019 2017
- ^ It's December 3rd, so let's have a look at "Today in History." loc gov The United States Congress Library
- ^ Timeline of Alabama's Past, 1800-1850 alabama gov Retrieved June 15, 2016
- ^ The 15th of March was a significant day in history, as stated in the phrase "Today loc gov The Congress Library
- ^ The tenth of August: A Day in History loc gov The Congress Library
- ^ The 15th of June in History loc gov US Congress Library
- ^ As seen on "Today in History, January 26" loc gov The Congress Library
- ^ We welcome Texas to the Union! These Events Happened On This Day In History Television stations owned by A&E March 4, 2010 Retrieved April 23, 2019
- ^ Timeline of events as of May 29th, this year loc gov The Congress Library
- ^ On this day in 1850, California was officially admitted to the Union. CA gov Parks and Recreation Division of the State of California
- ^ The 11th of May: A Day in History loc gov National Library of Congress
- ^ It's January 29th, so here's what happened yesterday in history. loc gov The Congress Library
- ^ The 20th of June: A Day in History loc gov National Library of Congress
- ^ "A Convenient State": The Birth of West Virginia and the Reorganization of Virginia's Government, Part 12 Wvculture org History and Culture Department of West Virginia
- ^ Case cited: "Virginia v. West Virginia, 78 U.S. 39 (1870)" Justia com
- ^ The first of August, a day in history. loc gov The United States Congress Library
- ^ a b For the 2nd of November, see "Today in History." loc gov US Congress Library
- ^ MacPherson, James, and Kevin Burbach. In spite of the passage of 125 years since the Dakotas became independent, rivalry continues to this day. Bismarck, North Dakota: Tribune AP Retrieved June 29, 2020
- ^ The Works of Mark Stein (2008) Smithsonian Books/Harper Collins, "How the States Got Their Shapes," p. 256
- ^ A Wish for David J. Wishart (ed ) "Montana" The Great Plains: An Encyclopedia Institution: University of Nebraska at Lincoln Retrieved The 15th of February 2017
- ^ "On This Day in History... November 11" loc gov Congress's Library
- ^ Title of Author: Thatcher, Linda, in Year: 2016 Timeline of the Fight for Statehood historytogo utah gov Utah, United States of America
- ^ Historically Speaking, It Was November 16th On This Date In The Past loc gov The Congress Library
- ^ Author: Rodgers, Paul. (2011) Constitutional Law in the United States: A Primer McFarland p 109 ISBN 978-0-7864-6017-5
Connections outside the text [ edit ]
- The United States of America Video Archive History com
- "Independence Day" 50states com
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