One commonly known fact about the United States of America is that it currently consists of fifty states, hence the fifty stars on the current flag, but one fact that is infrequently regarded is that the United States did not acquire every state at once. It took nearly 172 years for the fifty states to be ratified or admitted.
There is one simple question that is a key to unveiling the contents of this elusive fact: what is the first state? Many Americans, including myself, have lived their lives while being unaware of the answer to this question, let alone the existence of the question. It is as simple to ascertain the answer as entering my proposed query into any browser, but I will save you the time.
What is the first state?
A brief answer: Delaware.
A more explanatory answer: Delaware.
All right, in all seriousness, the United States, a single nation consisting of the formerly individual Thirteen Colonies, existed in concept and function since 1776 with the signing of the Declaration of Independence, though this existence was not entirely official. The Second Continental Congress recognized the necessity of unanimously possessing a document of guidelines that would hold the constituents together, and in 1777, the Continental Congress adopted the Articles of Confederation for the United States. Virginia was the first state to ratify the Articles of Confederation, making Virginia the first state.
The Articles of Confederation were later deemed faulty, and contested by some. In 1787, the Continental Congress, recognizing the need to revise the Articles, approved a convention for revision, which eventually led to writing of the Constitution. Once the states ratified the Constitution, they were officially recognized as joining the Union. The first state to ratify the Constitution was not Virginia, but Delaware, making Delaware the first state to join the current, amended Union.
In what order did the states join the Union?
The first thirteen states were originally the Thirteen Colonies, they ratified the Constitution and joined the Union in the following order: Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, South Carolina, New Hampshire, Virginia, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island.
The next four states to be admitted came from land that was formerly claimed by the original states: Vermont, Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio.
Louisiana was admitted from the southernmost portion of land from the Louisiana Purchase, along with minor sections claimed by Texas and West Florida.
Five more states were admitted from land previously claimed by the original states: Indiana, Mississippi, Illinois, Alabama, Maine.
Missouri and Arkansas, formed from sections of land originating from the territory of Louisiana, were admitted into the Union.
Michigan joined the Union; its land was claimed by the state of Virginia in prior years.
Florida was admitted as the newest state following the Florida Acquisition.
Texas became the latest state in the Union with its annexation.
Iowa entered into the United States from previous Louisiana Territory land.
Wisconsin was the next state to join the Union, which was formerly claimed by the state of Virginia.
California was admitted from land ceded by Mexico.
Minnesota entered the Union; it consists of portions of the former Louisiana Territory along with prior claims of the state of Virginia and the British territory of Rupert’s Land.
Oregon, a previous section of the shared Oregon Country between the US and the UK, joined the Union.
Kansas was admitted, which used to be part of Louisiana Territory.
West Virginia was effectively admitted as a new state after breaking away from Virginia during the Civil War.
Nevada was admitted into the US from land ceded by Mexico.
Nebraska was admitted from land previously belonging to the territory of Louisiana.
Colorado became the next state, it was formed by portions of land formerly possessed by Mexico, Texas, and the Louisiana Territory.
The next three states were formed from land that came from the Louisiana Territory, with minor amounts of land from Oregon Country and Rupert’s Land: North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana.
The next two states came from the former Oregon Country: Washington, Idaho.
Wyoming was admitted from land that used to belong to Louisiana Territory, Oregon Country, Texas, and Mexico.
Utah was admitted into the Union from land ceded by Mexico.
Oklahoma joined the Union, possessing land from Texas and the Louisiana Territory.
New Mexico was admitted into the United States; it was formed from sections of Texas and Mexico.
Arizona was admitted, which was previously claimed by Mexico.
Alaska joined the Union, years after being purchased from Russia.
Hawaii was annexed and admitted as the fiftieth and final state; it used to be known as the Kingdom of Hawaii.
As you can see, the states have a relatively broad range of origins; it surprised me to see just how many states sprang from the Louisiana Territory. If you prefer to see the states’ admissions in a list, consult the following:
The states in order of admission:
- Delaware (1787)
- Pennsylvania (1787)
- New Jersey (1787)
- Georgia (1788)
- Connecticut (1788)
- Massachusetts (1788)
- Maryland (1788)
- South Carolina (1788)
- New Hampshire (1788)
- Virginia (1788)
- New York (1788)
- North Carolina (1789)
- Rhode Island (1790)
- Vermont (1791)
- Kentucky (1792)
- Tennessee (1796)
- Ohio (1803)
- Louisiana (1812)
- Indiana (1816)
- Mississippi (1817)
- Illinois (1818)
- Alabama (1819)
- Maine (1820)
- Missouri (1821)
- Arkansas (1836)
- Michigan (1837)
- Florida (1845)
- Texas (1845)
- Iowa (1846)
- Wisconsin (1848)
- California (1850)
- Minnesota (1858)
- Oregon (1859)
- Kansas (1861)
- West Virginia (1863)
- Nevada (1864)
- Nebraska (1867)
- Colorado (1876)
- North Dakota (1889)
- South Dakota (1889)
- Montana (1889)
- Washington (1889)
- Idaho (1890)
- Wyoming (1890)
- Utah (1896)
- Oklahoma (1907)
- New Mexico (1912)
- Arizona (1912)
- Alaska (1959)
- Hawaii (1959)
Did you know what state was the first, or the last?
Onward American 🇺🇸
Source: Articles of Confederation
Source: States by Order of Admission
Onward American 