On June 21, 1788, New Hampshire became the ninth American colony to ratify the U.S. Constitution. Although no major American Revolution battles were fought in New Hampshire, it was the first colony to declare its independence, adopting the first state constitution in 1776, which predated the U.S. Declaration of Independence by several months.
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On March 4, 1791, Vermont became the first state admitted to the Union after the original 13 colonies. Prior to joining the United States, Vermont operated as an independent nation, minting its own currency, running a postal service and forming its own military, the Green Mountain Boys. During the American Revolution, a contingent of Green Mountain Boys, led by Ethan Allen, crossed Lake Champlain and captured Fort Ticonderoga in a night raid. It was a gambit that would prove crucial later in the war.
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On May 23, 1788, South Carolina became the eighth American colony to ratify the U.S. Constitution. During the American Revolution, South Carolina was a critical battleground, characterized by guerrilla warfare, and the site of more skirmishes and battles with British troops than any other colony. South Carolina’s nickname, the “Palmetto State,” stems from one of its most pivotal clashes: the Battle of Sullivan’s Island.
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A new national survey shows that more than half of American adults are not aware that colorectal cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in both men and women under the age of 50. The survey, commissioned by the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, shows a stubborn gap in public understanding, a misconception that could delay prevention or diagnosis of one of the most preventable cancers.
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Women legislators are wielding greater influence in state government.
Consider the statistics: In 2016, there were 1,805 women serving in state legislatures. By 2025, the number of women lawmakers had jumped to 2,451 – the highest mark in our nation’s history. One factor that may help explain the rise in female leadership, according to several long-term women lawmakers, is the growing role played around the country by women’s legislative caucuses.
A national, multi-state software collaborative addressing shared government policy and operational challenges is joining CSG under its National Center for Interstate Compacts (NCIC), transitioning from the Beeck Center for Social Impact + Innovation at Georgetown University.
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On April 28, 1788, Maryland became the seventh American colony to ratify the U.S. Constitution. Although no major battles were fought on Maryland soil during the American Revolution, the state left a lasting mark on the war thanks to a regiment of Maryland troops — the famed Maryland 400 — who all but saved the Continental Army at the Battle of Brooklyn in August 1776.
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CSG salutes Kansas Governor Laura Kelly for her longstanding leadership. As a state senator, Gov. Kelly was an active member of the CSG Midwestern Legislative Conference. As governor, she helped guide CSG through the challenges of the pandemic, serving two consecutive terms as the CSG National President.
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On Jan. 9, 1788, Connecticut became the fifth American colony to ratify the U.S. Constitution. Connecticut earned the nickname “The Constitution State” for its role in adopting the 1639 “Fundamental Orders of Connecticut” — among the first governing documents to recognize that the people are the foundation of public authority and to establish a system in which citizens elect their own officials. The document is widely regarded as an early influence for the U.S. Constitution.
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On Feb. 6, 1788, Massachusetts became the sixth American colony to ratify the U.S. Constitution. Massachusetts holds a special place in the telling of America’s origin story: It was where English Protestants, later known as the Pilgrims, arrived aboard the Mayflower in 1620 and founded Plymouth Colony, one of the earliest permanent English settlements in New England. The Pilgrims are widely credited with celebrating the 1621 harvest feast often referred to as the first Thanksgiving.
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