Celebrating
250 years of the states
The Council of State Governments is marking America’s 250th birthday through the stories of the states and territories that have shaped the nation’s history and the American experience.
From the States, For the States.
Civic-minded goods inspired by America’s statehouses.
A Nation Takes Shape
The story of statehood begins with the original 13 former British colonies that declared independence, fought a revolution and emerged as sovereign states in their own right. They were not “admitted” to the Union in the way later states would be. Instead, between 1787 and 1790, each chose to ratify the U.S. Constitution, joining together to form a new federal Union grounded in shared governance and constitutional principles.
With Vermont’s admission in 1791, a new chapter began. From that point forward, states entered the Union by act of Congress under Article IV, Section 3 of the Constitution. Over the next 168 years, as the nation expanded westward, southward and eventually beyond the continental mainland, 37 additional states were admitted culminating with Alaska and Hawaiʻi in 1959.
Hover for the official order of statehood as recognized by the federal government.
