The states in the order of joining the nation

The original founding of the United States of America began with the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. The original 13 states ratified the U.S. Constitution between 1787 and 1790. There was no president in office when the first 11 states were admitted to the Union. George Washington’s presidency began in 1789, and North Carolina was the first state to join the Union under the new president. The remaining states were admitted later through treaties, purchases or territorial organization.

Delaware is known as “The First State” as it was the first of the original 13 states to ratify the U.S. Constitution and enter the Union. It is the second smallest state in area with only 2,489 square miles including 53 square miles of inland water and 28 miles of coastline.

The following includes each of the 50 states and the order in which it joined the Union:

1. Delaware, December 7, 1787

2. Pennsylvania, December 12, 1787

3. New Jersey, December 28, 1787

4. Georgia, January 2, 1788

5. Connecticut, January 9, 1788

6. Massachusetts, February 6, 1788

7. Maryland, April 28, 1788

8. South Carolina, May 23, 1788

9. New Hampshire, June 21, 1788

10. Virginia, June 25, 1788

11. New York, July 26, 1788

12. North Carolina, November 21, 1789

13. Rhode Island, May 29, 1970

14. Vermont, March 4, 1791

15. Kentucky, June 1, 1792

16. Tennessee, June 1, 1796

17. Ohio, March 1, 1803

18. Louisiana, April 30, 1812

19. Indiana, December 11, 1816

20. Mississippi, December 10, 1817

21. Illinois, December 3, 1818

22. Alabama, December 14, 1819

23. Maine, March 15, 1820

24. Missouri, August 10, 1821

25. Arkansas, June 15, 1836

26. Michigan, January 26, 1837

27. Florida, March 3, 1845

28. Texas, December 29, 1845

29. Iowa, December 28, 1846

30. Wisconsin, May 29, 1848

31. California, September 9, 1950

32. Minnesota, May 11, 1858

33. Oregon, February 14, 1859

34. Kansas, January 29, 1861

35. West Virginia, June 20, 1863

36. Nevada, October 31, 1864

37. Nebraska, March 1, 1867

38. Colorado, August 1, 1876

39. North Dakota, November 2, 1889

40. South Dakota, November 2, 1889

41. Montana, November 8, 1889

42. Washington, November 11, 1889

43. Idaho, July 3, 1890

44. Wyoming, July 10, 1890

45. Utah, January 4, 1896

46. Oklahoma, November 16, 1907

47. New Mexico, January 6, 1912

48. Arizona, February 14, 1912

49. Alaska, January 3, 1959

50. Hawaii, August 21, 1959.