What was the first state to accept the Constitution?

Asked by: Domenico McClure  |  Last update: April 15, 2026
Score: 4.4/5 (9 votes)

Delaware was the first state to approve the U.S. Constitution, ratifying it unanimously on December 7, 1787, earning it the nickname "The First State". This action began the ratification process, which required nine states for the Constitution to become law, with New Hampshire becoming the ninth in June 1788, making the new government official.

Which state was first to approve the Constitution?

The first state to ratify the Constitution was Delaware on December 7, 1787, followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut.

Which two states didn't accept the Constitution?

Two states, North Carolina and Rhode Island, refused to ratify the new plan of government. Those who opposed the adoption of the Constitution were known as the Antifederalists.

In what order were states added?

The U.S. states are listed in order of their admission to the Union, starting with Delaware (1st) on December 7, 1787, followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Georgia, with the original thirteen colonies ratifying the Constitution first, and newer states like Alaska (49th) and Hawaii (50th) joining much later in 1959. This order reflects when each state officially joined, with some early entries being ratification dates for the Constitution, making them states before the government officially formed. 

Was Delaware actually the first state?

Below the diamond are the words "December 7, 1787," indicating the day on which Delaware was the first state to ratify the federal Constitution. Because of this action, Delaware became the first state in the Union, and is, therefore, accorded the first position in such national events as presidential inaugurations.

Supreme Court Delivers 9–0 Unanimous Ruling With Major Constitutional Impact (What Comes Next)

44 related questions found

Which is the oldest state in America?

The oldest state in the U.S. is Delaware, which became the first to ratify the Constitution on December 7, 1787, earning it the nickname "The First State". It was the first of the original 13 colonies to join the Union, followed closely by Pennsylvania and New Jersey in the same month. 

Did Bob Marley live in Delaware?

Although he only lived in Wilmington for a short time, Marley frequently returned to visit his mother and siblings. His son, Stephen Marley, was born in Wilmington in 1972, and all three of Bob's children with Rita—Stephen, Ziggy, and Cedella—attended George Gray Elementary School in the city.

Why are there 52 stars on the American flag?

The 50 stars on the flag represent the 50 states and the 13 stripes represent the original Thirteen Colonies that rebelled against the British crown and became the first states in the Union. Nicknames for the flag include "the Stars and Stripes", "Old Glory", and "the Star-Spangled Banner".

What is the friendliest U.S. state?

While rankings vary by study, Minnesota frequently appears as the friendliest U.S. state, known for "Minnesota nice," with Tennessee, South Carolina, and Texas also consistently ranking high in friendliness surveys, often citing Southern hospitality. Hawaii and Wyoming are also praised for their welcoming communities and residents.
 

Does the U.S. have two Washingtons?

The two Washingtons are roughly 3,000 miles apart. Washington the state is directly south of British Columbia. Washington, D.C. is in the central area of the U.S. east coast.

Which state refused the Constitution?

But Rhode Island refused to send a delegation, and the convention instead set about drafting a new Constitution. Rhode Island was the only state that did not participate in its proceedings.

What are the two amendments that got rejected?

We also know that the First and Second Amendments of the original 12 amendments were not officially ratified.

Who wrote the US Constitution?

James Madison, the principal author of the Constitution, knew that grave doubts would be cast on the Constitution if those states (the home states of several of its chief architects, including Madison himself) did not adopt it.

Which state is the cheapest to live in?

Mississippi is consistently ranked as the cheapest state to live in the U.S., primarily due to extremely low housing costs, affordable groceries, and low transportation expenses, with other affordable contenders often including West Virginia, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Alabama, and Missouri. These states offer a lower cost of living index (below the national average of 100) driven by cheaper housing and everyday goods, though wages can sometimes be lower than the national average. 

What is the oldest state constitution in America?

The 1780 Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, drafted by John Adams, is the world's oldest functioning written constitution. It served as a model for the United States Constitution, which was written in 1787 and became effective in 1789.

What is the least populated U.S. state?

The least populated state in the U.S. is Wyoming, consistently ranking last with under 600,000 residents, followed by Vermont and Alaska, due to its vast size, sparse rainfall, and significant federal land ownership, making large-scale settlement difficult.
 

What is the least friendly state in the US?

According to World Population Review's Friendliest States 2024, New York is the least friendly state in all of America.

What is the most loved state in America?

Hawaii is consistently ranked as the most liked U.S. state, leading in favorability surveys for its beauty, pleasant climate, and perceived happiness, followed by states like Alaska, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Colorado, while some polls show Minnesota or Michigan residents have the most state pride, according to data from 2025 YouGov polls. Different surveys measure "liked" differently, with some focusing on general favorability and others on resident pride, but Hawaii appears at the top for general appeal across the nation.
 

What is the freest state in the USA?

For the 24th time, New Hampshire is the freest state among all U.S. states, having scored 8.34 out of 10 in this year's report, which measures government spending, taxation, regulations and labor market restrictions using data from 2023, the most recent year of available comparable data.

Is it illegal to fly a 48 star flag?

Yes, you can absolutely fly a 48-star U.S. flag; it's considered a "living" historical flag, not outdated, and is perfectly acceptable to display according to U.S. Flag Code, as long as it's in good condition and follows general flag etiquette, like proper illumination at night and positioning.
 

What is the oldest flag in the world?

The Dannebrog, the national flag of Denmark, is widely recognized as the oldest continuously used national flag in the world, with its origins legendarily traced back to June 15, 1219, and officially recognized in 1625, featuring a white Nordic cross on a red background that inspired other Scandinavian flags. While other ancient flags exist, Denmark's flag holds the record for continuous national use, with documented use from the 14th century onward.
 

What is the meaning of 51st state?

A "51st state" refers to a territory, district (like Washington D.C.), or even another country (like Puerto Rico or Canada) that is considered a candidate to become a full state of the United States, granting it representation and rights like existing states. It's used both seriously for statehood movements (like D.C. or Puerto Rico) and sometimes as a political joke or hypothetical scenario, often involving Canada, as if adding another star to the U.S. flag. 

Who is the most famous person from Delaware?

Aubrey Plaza is the Most Famous Delawarean | The Drew Barrymore Show.

How is Lauryn Hill related to Bob Marley?

Lauryn Hill and Bob Marley didn't have a direct romantic relationship; rather, she had a long, significant relationship (mid-90s to 2008) with his son, Rohan Marley, with whom she shares five children, blending their famous musical legacies, and even recorded a posthumous duet with Bob Marley himself. Their connection is through Rohan, making Hill the mother of several of Bob Marley's grandchildren, like Zion, Selah, and YG Marley, tying her to the iconic reggae family.
 

What race were Bob Marley's parents?

The imperfections and almost total absence of Bob Marley's Caucasian father, Captain Norval Marley, had a profound psychological influence on the great reggae icon. “My father was white and my mother black, you know. Them call me half-caste, or whatever.