When Did Our States Become States?

Delaware

Dec 7, 1787

The first of the original 13 colonies.

When Did Our States Become States?

Period: Dec 7, 1787 to Aug 21, 1959

Pennsylvania

Dec 12, 1787

The second of the original 13 colonies.

New Jersey

Dec 18, 1787

The third of the original 13 colonies.

Georgia

Jan 2, 1788

The fourth of the original 13 colonies.

Connecticut

Jan 9, 1788

The fifth of the original 13 colonies.

Massachusetts

Feb 6, 1788

The sixth of the original 13 colonies.

Maryland

Apr 28, 1788

The seventh of the original 13 colonies.

South Carolina

May 23, 1788

The eighth of the original 13 colonies.

New Hampshire

Jun 21, 1788

The ninth of the original 13 colonies.

Virginia

Jun 25, 1788

The tenth of the original 13 colonies.

New York

Jul 26, 1788

The eleventh of the original 13 colonies.

North Carolina

Nov 21, 1789

The twelfth of the original 13 colonies.

Rhode Island

May 29, 1790

The last of the original 13 colonies.

Vermont

Mar 4, 1791

Until statehood, had been a region claimed by both New York and New Hampshire

Kentucky

Jun 1, 1792

Never a territory, it was part of Virginia until statehood.

Tennessee

Jun 1, 1796

Was part of Southwest Territory before statehood.

Ohio

Mar 1, 1803

Was part of the Northwest Territory until statehood.

Louisiana

Apr 30, 1812

With certain boundary changes, had been the Territory of Orleans.

Indiana

Dec 11, 1816

There was a residue of Indiana Territory that continued to exist under that name until Dec. 3, 1818, when it was attached to Michigan Territory.

Mississippi

Dec 10, 1817

Territory by Act of April 7, 1798, effective May 7, 1798.

Illinois

Dec 3, 1818

Alabama

Dec 14, 1819

Territory by Act of March 3, 1817, effective Aug. 15, 1817.

Maine

Mar 15, 1820

What is now the state of Maine was, before statehood, called the District of Maine and belonged to Massachusetts.

Missouri

Aug 10, 1821

The state was much smaller than the territory. The area to the west and northwest of the state, which had been in the territory, was commonly known as the "Missouri Country" until May 30, 1854, and certain of the post offices in this area show a Missouri abbreviation in the postmark.

Arkansas

Jun 15, 1836

The territory was larger than the state. After statehood the leftover area to the west had post offices that continued for some years to use an Arkansas abbreviation in the postmarks, although they were really in the "Indian Country."

Michigan

Jan 26, 1837

Florida

Mar 3, 1845

Texas

Dec 29, 1845

Was an independent republic before statehood.

Iowa

Dec 28, 1846

Wisconsin

May 29, 1848

The state is smaller than the territory and the leftover area continued to be called the Territory of Wisconsin until March 3, 1849.

California

Sep 9, 1850

Ceded by Mexico by the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo, concluded Feb. 2, 1848, and proclaimed July 4, 1848. From then until statehood, California had a military government until Dec. 20, 1849, and then a local civil government. It never had a territorial form of government.

Minnesota

May 11, 1858

Oregon

Feb 14, 1859

Kansas

Jan 29, 1861

West Virginia

Jun 20, 1863

Was part of Virginia until statehood

Nevada

Oct 31, 1864

Colorado

Aug 1, 1876

North Dakota

Nov 2, 1889

Was part of Dakota Territory before statehood. Admitted on same day as South Dakota

South Dakota

Nov 2, 1889

Was part of Dakota Territory before statehood. Admitted on same day as North Dakota

Montana

Nov 8, 1889

Washington

Nov 11, 1889

Idaho

Jul 3, 1890

Wyoming

Jul 10, 1890

Utah

Jan 4, 1896

Oklahoma

Nov 16, 1907

The state was formed from Oklahoma Territory and Indian Territory.

New Mexico

Jan 6, 1912

Arizona

Feb 14, 1912

This region was sometimes called Arizona before 1863, although it was still in the Territory of New Mexico.

Alaska

Jan 3, 1959

A district from Oct. 18, 1867, until it became an organized territory Aug. 24, 1912.

Hawaii

Aug 21, 1959

The territorial date Aug. 12, 1898 is that of the formal transfer to the United States, with Sanford B. Dole as first Governor.