December 7, 1787
Before becoming a state, Delaware was known as 'New Sweden' and later as the 'Lower Counties on Delaware'. It was the first state to ratify the Constitution.
December 12, 1787
Originally known as the 'Province of Pennsylvania', it was founded by William Penn as a haven for religious freedom, particularly for Quakers.
December 18, 1787
Previously called 'New Netherlands' when under Dutch control, it was later named after the Isle of Jersey in the English Channel.
January 2, 1788
Named after King George II, it was the last of the original thirteen colonies established by Great Britain in 1732.
January 9, 1788
Named after the Connecticut River, from the Native American word 'Quinnehtukqut' meaning 'beside the long tidal river'.
February 6, 1788
Originally called the 'Massachusetts Bay Colony', named after the Massachusett tribe, meaning 'near the great hill'.
April 28, 1788
Named in honor of Queen Henrietta Maria, wife of King Charles I, it was established as a safe haven for English Catholics.
May 23, 1788
Originally part of the Province of Carolina, South Carolina was the first to ratify the Constitution between the Carolinas. Known for its plantation economy and port city of Charleston, it played a significant role in colonial trade.
June 21, 1788
Named after the English county of Hampshire, it was first called 'North Virginia' and later 'New Hampshire'.
June 25, 1788
Named in honor of Queen Elizabeth I, the 'Virgin Queen'. It was the first permanent English settlement in North America.
July 26, 1788
Previously known as 'New Amsterdam' under Dutch rule, renamed after the Duke of York when the English took control.
November 21, 1789
Originally part of the Province of Carolina, North Carolina waited to ratify the Constitution until certain rights were guaranteed. Known for its diverse landscape from the Outer Banks to the Appalachian Mountains.
May 29, 1790
Originally called 'Rhode Island and Providence Plantations', it was the last of the original 13 states to ratify the Constitution, mainly due to concerns about federal power.