# Admission of States to the Union: A Historical Reference Guide > Briefs, arguments, decisions, and more. URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/crs%3AR47747 ## Record - **Collection:** Congressional research report - **Document type:** Reports - **Published:** January 6, 2026 - **Citation:** R47747 ## Text Admission of States to the Union: A Historical Reference Guide Updated January 6, 2026 Congressional Research Service https://crsreports.congress.gov R47747 SUMMARY Admission of States to the Union: A Historical Reference Guide The Constitution allows Congress to admit “New States ... into this Union.” By ratifying the Constitution in 1787-1790, the 13 original states—which declared independence from Great Britain in 1776 and initially united under the Articles of Confederation—joined the new federal government. An additional 37 states joined between 1791 (Vermont) and 1959 (Alaska and Hawaii). Each star on the national flag represents one of the 50 states. This report provides historical information about each state’s journey to statehood with a focus on the role of Congress. A chronology describes selected events for each state such as the formation of a territorial government; federal legislation that enabled residents to prepare for statehood; the drafting and adoption of a state constitution; and federal legislation that admitted the new state into the Union. Citations point, in general, to primary legislative sources such as the Congressional Record, House Journal, and Senate Journal. R47747 January 6, 2026 Ben Leubsdorf Senior Research Librarian Kathleen E. Marchsteiner Senior Research Librarian Carol Wilson Senior Research Librarian The five tables in this report summarize key information across all 50 states: admission order and date, territorial law (if any), enabling law (if any), admission law, and the outcome of state-level ratification or referendum votes (if any). This report does not address the history of a territory before its acquisition by the United States, policy or legal questions related to statehood, potential future action by Congress, the status of current U.S. territories, or statehood-related proposals that have not become law. Congressional Research Service Admission of States to the Union: A Historical Reference Guide Contents Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 1 Overview ................................................................................................................................... 1 About This Report ..................................................................................................................... 1 Sources, Compilations, and Additional Resources.................................................................... 2 Summary Tables .............................................................................................................................. 3 Statehood Timelines ...................................................................................................................... 15 Alabama .................................................................................................................................. 15 Alaska...................................................................................................................................... 17 Arizona .................................................................................................................................... 18 Arkansas .................................................................................................................................. 20 California ................................................................................................................................ 22 Colorado .................................................................................................................................. 23 Connecticut ............................................................................................................................. 24 Delaware ................................................................................................................................. 25 Florida ..................................................................................................................................... 25 Georgia .................................................................................................................................... 26 Hawaii ..................................................................................................................................... 27 Idaho........................................................................................................................................ 28 Illinois ..................................................................................................................................... 30 Indiana ..................................................................................................................................... 31 Iowa ......................................................................................................................................... 33 Kansas ..................................................................................................................................... 34 Kentucky ................................................................................................................................. 36 Louisiana ................................................................................................................................. 37 Maine ...................................................................................................................................... 39 Maryland ................................................................................................................................. 40 Massachusetts.......................................................................................................................... 41 Michigan ................................................................................................................................. 41 Minnesota ................................................................................................................................ 43 Mississippi .............................................................................................................................. 45 Missouri .................................................................................................................................. 46 Montana .................................................................................................................................. 48 Nebraska.................................................................................................................................. 50 Nevada .................................................................................................................................... 52 New Hampshire....................................................................................................................... 53 New Jersey .............................................................................................................................. 53 New Mexico ............................................................................................................................ 54 New York ................................................................................................................................ 56 North Carolina......................................................................................................................... 56 North Dakota ........................................................................................................................... 57 Ohio ......................................................................................................................................... 58 Oklahoma ................................................................................................................................ 60 Oregon ..................................................................................................................................... 62 Pennsylvania ........................................................................................................................... 64 Rhode Island............................................................................................................................ 64 South Carolina......................................................................................................................... 65 South Dakota ........................................................................................................................... 65 Congressional Research Service Admission of States to the Union: A Historical Reference Guide Tennessee ................................................................................................................................ 67 Texas ....................................................................................................................................... 69 Utah ......................................................................................................................................... 71 Vermont ................................................................................................................................... 72 Virginia .................................................................................................................................... 74 Washington .............................................................................................................................. 74 West Virginia ........................................................................................................................... 76 Wisconsin ................................................................................................................................ 78 Wyoming ................................................................................................................................. 80 Tables Table 1. Chronological List of State Admissions ............................................................................ 3 Table 2. Territorial Acts ................................................................................................................... 4 Table 3. Enabling Acts..................................................................................................................... 7 Table 4. Admission Acts .................................................................................................................. 9 Table 5. Referendum Votes ............................................................................................................. 11 Contacts Author Information........................................................................................................................ 81 Congressional Research Service Admission of States to the Union: A Historical Reference Guide Introduction Overview The Constitution allows Congress to admit “New States ... into this Union.”1 Congress has exercised this power 37 times since 1791, most recently in 1959. The 13 original colonies, which declared independence from Great Britain in 1776 and initially united under the Articles of Confederation, joined the new federal government by ratifying the Constitution in 1787-1790. Vermont was the next state to join the Union, in 1791, followed by Kentucky in 1792. As the United States expanded across North America, many regions were organized as territories, beginning with the Northwest Territory.2 Tennessee, in 1796, was the first state to join the Union following a period of territorial government (as the Southwest Territory). Six states joined the Union without first being organized as a territory: California, Kentucky, Maine, Texas, Vermont, and West Virginia. The 1912 admission of Arizona and New Mexico completed the Lower 48 contiguous states stretching from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west. Alaska and Hawaii both achieved statehood in 1959, taking the nation to its current count of 50 states—each represented by a star on the national flag.3 About This Report This report provides selected historical information about each state’s journey to statehood with a focus on the role of Congress. For each state, a chronology (in the form of a bulleted list) describes selected events in the history of its admission (see “Statehood Timelines”). These events may include acquisition of the region by the U.S. government, the creation of a territorial government,4 federal legislation that enabled residents to prepare for statehood, the drafting of a state constitution, any state-level referendum or ratification votes related to statehood, federal legislation to admit the new state into the Union, and a presidential proclamation to make its admission official. A shaded box for each state provides key dates and United States Statutes at Large citations, when applicable. Some states took similar paths to admission, though, in general, those paths have varied considerably. Although this report focuses on Congress’s role in the admission of states, the statehood timelines do not describe every legislative action taken during the admission process, and they generally omit proposals or bills that did not become law.5 Moreover, the timelines do not typically discuss the details of legislative measures, such as conditions Congress may have 1 Article IV, Section 3, Clause 1. 2 Congress, operating under the Articles of Confederation, established the Territory of the United States North West of the River Ohio in 1787. It included all or part of six future states: Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin. See the “Ohio” timeline for details. 3 4 U.S.C. §§1-2. 4 Many territories were created out of existing territories, and territorial boundaries changed over time. Illinois Territory, for example, was initially part of the Northwest Territory and then part of Indiana Territory. For simplicity, the timelines in this report generally omit territorial affiliations before legislation that created a separate and distinct territory that would later achieve statehood. 5 For example, the “Hawaii” timeline does not include multiple attempts to achieve statehood before 1959. Congressional Research Service 1 Admission of States to the Union: A Historical Reference Guide placed on a state’s admission; actions taken by territorial legislatures or governors; or the wording of ballot questions related to statehood. This report includes five tables summarizing key information from the individual timelines: • • • • • Table 1 shows the dates and order of admission for each state. Table 2 describes legislation that established territorial governments, if any. Table 3 describes enabling legislation that allowed territories to prepare for statehood, if any. Table 4 describes legislation that admitted states to the Union, if any. Table 5 describes popular or convention votes on statehood or related matters, such as ratification of a state constitution in preparation for admission, if any. With the exception of the information provided in Table 1, available information on the states varies according to the specific path to statehood for each state. The availability of this information for each state is noted in the tables. In general, this report does not discuss the history or status of a territory before its acquisition by the United States, nor does it address policy or legal questions related to statehood, potential future action by Congress, or the status of current U.S. territories and the District of Columbia.6 Sources, Compilations, and Additional Resources Many footnotes in this report point to primary legislative sources such as the Journal of the House of Representatives of the United States (the House Journal) and the Journal of the Senate of the United States of America (the Senate Journal). Also cited are the Congressional Record and two of its predecessor publications: The Debates and Proceedings in the Congress of the United States (the Annals of Congress) and the Congressional Globe.7 Some citations point to multivolume compilations of historical documents, such as The Documentary History of the Ratification of the Constitution;8 The Territorial Papers of the United States;9 and The Federal and State Constitutions, Colonial Charters, and Other Organic Laws of the States, Territories, and Colonies Now or Heretofore Forming the United States of America.10 In addition, this report cites secondary sources such as scholarly books and journal articles, as well as reference materials such as encyclopedias and research guides. Almost all of the primary sources and compilations cited in this report are available online. The Library of Congress’s A Century of Lawmaking for a New Nation collection contains congressional and legal records for 1774 to 1875.11 Other freely available repositories include the 6 Information about these subjects is available in other CRS products, including CRS In Focus IF11792, Statehood Process and Political Status of U.S. Territories: Brief Policy Background, by R. Sam Garrett; CRS Report R44721, Political Status of Puerto Rico: Brief Background and Recent Developments for Congress, by R. Sam Garrett; CRS In Focus IF11443, District of Columbia Statehood and Voting Representation, by Joseph V. Jaroscak; and CRS Report R47101, DC Statehood: Constitutional Considerations for Proposed Legislation, by Mainon A. Schwartz. 7 See CRS Report R43434, Policy and Legislative Research for Congressional Staff: Finding Documents, Analysis, News, and Training, by Sarah W. Caldwell, Ellen M. Lechman, and Michele L. Malloy. 8 Bibliographic information is available from the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Center for the Study of the American Constitution at https://csac.history.wisc.edu. 9 Twenty-eight volumes, printed by the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO), 1934-1975. 10 Seven volumes, edited by Francis Newton Thorpe and printed by GPO, 1909. 11 Available at https://www.loc.gov/collections/century-of-lawmaking. Congressional Research Service 2 Admission of States to the Union: A Historical Reference Guide American Presidency Project database, maintained by the University of California, Santa Barbara;12 the Government Publishing Office’s (GPO’s) GovInfo website;13 HathiTrust’s database of historical books and government publications;14 the Law Library of Congress website;15 LLMC Digital’s collection of historical legal materials;16 and Yale Law School’s Avalon Project collection.17 Subscription-only databases, such as ProQuest Congressional, also contain relevant content such as legislative documents. Additional information about territories and statehood is available in reference resources such as Prestatehood Legal Materials: A Fifty-State Research Guide, Including New York City and the District of Columbia18 and The Uniting States: The Story of Statehood for the Fifty United States.19 Members and congressional staff can contact CRS for assistance locating research materials, including materials about a specific state. Summary Tables Table 1. Chronological List of State Admissions Order 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 State Delaware Pennsylvania New Jersey Georgia Connecticut Massachusetts Maryland South Carolina New Hampshire Virginia New York North Carolina Rhode Island Vermont Kentucky Tennessee Ohio Louisiana Indiana Mississippi Illinois Alabama Maine Missouri Arkansas Admission Date December 7, 1787 December 12, 1787 December 18, 1787 January 2, 1788 January 9, 1788 February 6, 1788 April 28, 1788 May 23, 1788 June 21, 1788 June 25, 1788 July 26, 1788 November 21, 1789 May 29, 1790 March 4, 1791 June 1, 1792 June 1, 1796 March 1, 1803 April 30, 1812 December 11, 1816 December 10, 1817 December 3, 1818 December 14, 1819 March 15, 1820 August 10, 1821 June 15, 1836 12 Available at https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu. 13 Available at https://www.govinfo.gov. 14 Available at https://www.hathitrust.org. 15 Available at https://www.loc.gov/research-centers/law-library-of-congress. 16 Available at https://llmc.com. 17 Available at https://avalon.law.yale.edu. 18Two volumes, edited by Michael Chiorazzi and Marguerite Most (The Haworth Information Press, 2005). 19 Three volumes, edited by Benjamin F. Shearer (Greenwood Press, 2004). Congressional Research Service 3 Admission of States to the Union: A Historical Reference Guide Order State 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 Michigan Florida Texas Iowa Wisconsin California Minnesota Oregon Kansas West Virginia Nevada Nebraska Colorado North Dakota South Dakota Montana Washington Idaho Wyoming Utah Oklahoma New Mexico Arizona Alaska Hawaii Admission Date January 26, 1837 March 3, 1845 December 29, 1845 December 28, 1846 May 29, 1848 September 9, 1850 May 11, 1858 February 14, 1859 January 29, 1861 June 20, 1863 October 31, 1864 March 1, 1867 August 1, 1876 November 2, 1889 November 2, 1889 November 8, 1889 November 11, 1889 July 3, 1890 July 10, 1890 January 4, 1896 November 16, 1907 January 6, 1912 February 14, 1912 January 3, 1959 August 21, 1959 Sources: Benjamin F. Shearer (ed.), The Uniting States: The Story of Statehood for the Fifty United States, 3 vols. (Greenwood Press, 2004); Michael Chiorazzi and Marguerite Most (eds.), Prestatehood Legal Materials: A Fifty-State Research Guide, Including New York City and the District of Columbia, 2 vols. (The Haworth Information Press, 2005). Notes: Admission date for the 13 original states indicates the date states ratified the U.S. Constitution. For other states, admission date indicates the date that their admission became effective. In some cases, this differs from the date of presidential approval listed in Table 4 (e.g., if admission was finalized by a presidential proclamation authorized by the admission law, or if the admission law specified a specific date to take effect). Table 2. Territorial Acts Enacted legislation that established a territorial government State (Territory, if Name Differs) House Passage Senate Passage Presidential Approval Citation(s) Alabama March 3, 1817 Feb. 21, 1817 March 3, 1817 3 Stat. 371 Alaska Aug. 20, 1912 Aug. 17, 1912 Aug. 24, 1912 37 Stat. 512 62 H.R. 38 Arizona May 8, 1862 Feb. 20, 1863 25-12 Feb. 24, 1863 12 Stat. 664 37 H.R. 357 Arkansas Feb. 20, 1819 March 1, 1819 March 2, 1819 3 Stat. 493 California N/A N/A N/A N/A Colorado Feb. 18, 1861 90-44 Feb. 26, 1861 26-18 Feb. 28, 1861 12 Stat. 172 36 S. 366 Connecticut N/A N/A N/A N/A Delaware N/A N/A N/A N/A Congressional Research Service 4 Admission of States to the Union: A Historical Reference Guide State (Territory, if Name Differs) House Passage Senate Passage Presidential Approval Citation(s) Florida March 27, 1822 Unanimousa March 27, 1822 March 30, 1822 3 Stat. 654 Georgia N/A N/A N/A N/A Hawaii Apr. 27, 1900 138-54 Apr. 25, 1900 Apr. 30, 1900 31 Stat. 141 56 S. 222 Idaho March 3, 1863 65-33a March 3, 1863 25-12 March 3, 1863 12 Stat. 808 37 H.R. 738 Illinois Jan. 18, 1809 69-37 Jan. 31, 1809 Feb. 3, 1809 2 Stat. 514 Indiana May 3, 1800 May 5, 1800 May 7, 1800 2 Stat. 58 Iowa June 6, 1838 118-51 June 6, 1838 June 12, 1838 5 Stat. 235 25 S. 269 Kansas May 22, 1854 113-100 May 25, 1854 35-13 May 30, 1854 10 Stat. 277 33 H.R. 236 Kentucky N/A N/A N/A N/A March 23, 1804 51-45 March 23, 1804 15-9 March 26, 1804 2 Stat. 283 Maine N/A N/A N/A N/A Maryland N/A N/A N/A N/A Massachusetts Louisiana (Orleans Territory) N/A N/A N/A N/A Michigan Jan. 7, 1805 Jan. 8, 1805 Jan. 11, 1805 2 Stat. 309 Minnesota March 3, 1849 107-70 March 1, 1849 30-18 March 3, 1849 9 Stat. 403 30 S. 152 Mississippi March 27, 1798 March 29, 1798 Apr. 7, 1798 1 Stat. 549 Missouri May 21, 1812 May 21, 1812 June 4, 1812 2 Stat. 743 Montana May 20, 1864 102-26 May 19, 1864 26-13 May 26, 1864 13 Stat. 85 38 H.R. 15 Nebraska May 22, 1854 113-100 May 25, 1854 35-13 May 30, 1854 10 Stat. 277 33 H.R. 236 Nevada March 1, 1861 92-52b Feb. 26, 1861 March 2, 1861 12 Stat. 209 36 S. 563 New Hampshire N/A N/A N/A N/A New Jersey N/A N/A N/A N/A New Mexico Sept. 6, 1850 108-97 Sept. 9, 1850 31-10 Sept. 9, 1850 9 Stat. 446 31 S. 307 New York N/A N/A N/A N/A North Carolina N/A N/A N/A N/A Congressional Research Service 5 Admission of States to the Union: A Historical Reference Guide State (Territory, if Name Differs) House Passage Senate Passage Presidential Approval North Dakota (Dakota Territory) March 1, 1861 Feb. 26, 1861 March 2, 1861 12 Stat. 239 36 S. 562 Ohio (Northwest Territory) Oklahoma Aug. 5, 1789 Aug. 4, 1789 Aug. 7, 1789 1 Stat. 50 Apr. 21, 1890 Apr. 23, 1890 50-5 May 2, 1890 26 Stat. 81 51 S. 895 Aug. 2, 1848 128-71b Aug. 12, 1848 31-23 and 29-25 Aug. 14, 1848 9 Stat. 323 30 H.R. 201 Pennsylvania N/A N/A N/A N/A Rhode Island N/A N/A N/A N/A South Carolina N/A N/A N/A N/A South Dakota (Dakota Territory) March 1, 1861 Feb. 26, 1861 March 2, 1861 12 Stat. 239 36 S. 562 Tennessee (Southwest Territory) Texas May 5, 1790 Apr. 27, 1790 May 26, 1790 1 Stat. 123 N/A N/A N/A N/A Utah Sept. 7, 1850 97-85 Aug. 1, 1850 Sept. 9, 1850 9 Stat. 453 31 S. 225 Vermont N/A N/A N/A N/A Virginia N/A N/A N/A N/A Washington Feb. 10, 1853 129-29b March 2, 1853 March 2, 1853 10 Stat. 172 32 H.R. 348 West Virginia N/A N/A N/A N/A Wisconsin Apr. 14, 1836 Apr. 18, 1836 Apr. 20, 1836 5 Stat. 10 24 S. 92 Wyoming July 22, 1868 106-50 June 3, 1868 July 25, 1868 15 Stat. 178 40 S. 357 Oregon Citation(s) Sources: Annals of Congress, Congressional Globe, Congressional Record, House Journal, Senate Journal, U.S. Statutes at Large. Notes: N/A means no territorial legislation was enacted (i.e., the 13 original states plus six states moved directly to statehood without an intervening period of territorial government). Final votes on passage are listed. Two vote tallies are listed if the question was divided. No vote count is listed when a vote tally was not recorded (e.g., a measure was passed by voice vote). The effective date of legislation may differ from its date of presidential approval. Bills and resolutions are presented with the Congress number preceding the bill citation (e.g., H.R. 1 during the 50th Congress would appear as 50 H.R. 1). No bill or resolution number is listed for legislation that was not identified in the record by number. The names of territories are noted in parentheses if they differ from the eventual name of the state. Many territories were created out of existing territories, so territorial boundaries differed at times from future state boundaries. a. Votes marked with “a” are based on the vote tally in the Congressional Record or predecessor publication, with no vote count listed in the House Journal or Senate Journal. Congressional Research Service 6 Admission of States to the Union: A Historical Reference Guide b. Votes marked with “b” are based on the vote tally in the House Journal or Senate Journal, with the Congressional Record or predecessor publication listing a different vote count. Table 3. Enabling Acts Enacted legislation that allowed residents to prepare for statehood House Passage Senate Passage Presidential Approval Citation(s) Alabama Feb. 19, 1819 Feb. 23, 1819 Mar. 2, 1819 3 Stat. 489 Alaska N/A N/A N/A N/A Arizona June 18, 1910 June 16, 1910 65-0 June 20, 1910 36 Stat. 557 61 H.R. 18166 Arkansas N/A N/A N/A N/A California N/A N/A N/A N/A Colorado Mar. 3, 1875 164-76 Feb. 24, 1875 43-13b Mar. 3, 1875 18 Stat. 474c 43 H.R. 435c Connecticut N/A N/A N/A N/A Delaware N/A N/A N/A N/A Florida N/A N/A N/A N/A Georgia N/A N/A N/A N/A Hawaii N/A N/A N/A N/A Idaho N/A N/A N/A N/A Illinois Apr. 15, 1818 Apr. 14, 1818 Apr. 18, 1818 3 Stat. 428 Indiana Apr. 15, 1816 Apr. 13, 1816 Apr. 19, 1816 3 Stat. 289 Iowa N/A N/A N/A N/A Kansas N/A N/A N/A N/A Kentucky N/A N/A N/A N/A Louisiana Feb. 13, 1811 69-45 Feb. 7, 1811 22-10 Feb. 20, 1811 2 Stat. 641 Maine N/A N/A N/A N/A Maryland N/A N/A N/A N/A Massachusetts N/A N/A N/A N/A Michigan June 13, 1836 Apr. 2, 1836 24-18 June 15, 1836 5 Stat. 49 24 S. 177 Minnesota Jan. 31, 1857 97-75 Feb. 25, 1857 31-22 Feb. 26, 1857 11 Stat. 166 34 H.R. 642 Mississippi Feb. 26, 1817 Feb. 27, 1817 Mar. 1, 1817 3 Stat. 348 Missouri Mar. 2, 1820 90-87 and 134-42 Mar. 2, 1820 Mar. 6, 1820 3 Stat. 545 Montana Feb. 20, 1889 Feb. 20, 1889 Feb. 22, 1889 25 Stat. 676c 50 S. 185c State Congressional Research Service 7 Admission of States to the Union: A Historical Reference Guide House Passage Senate Passage Presidential Approval Nebraska Mar. 17, 1864 Apr. 14, 1864 Apr. 19, 1864 13 Stat. 47 38 H.R. 14½ Nevada Mar. 17, 1864 Feb. 24, 1864 Mar. 21, 1864 13 Stat. 30c 38 S. 96c New Hampshire N/A N/A N/A N/A New Jersey N/A N/A N/A N/A New Mexico June 18, 1910 June 16, 1910 65-0 June 20, 1910 36 Stat. 557 61 H.R. 18166 New York N/A N/A N/A N/A North Carolina N/A N/A N/A N/A North Dakota Feb. 20, 1889 Feb. 20, 1889 Feb. 22, 1889 25 Stat. 676c 50 S. 185c Ohio Apr. 29, 1802 Apr. 28, 1802 16-6 Apr. 30, 1802 2 Stat. 173 Oklahoma June 14, 1906 June 13, 1906 June 16, 1906 34 Stat. 267c 59 H.R. 12707c Oregon N/A N/A N/A N/A Pennsylvania N/A N/A N/A N/A Rhode Island N/A N/A N/A N/A South Carolina N/A N/A N/A N/A South Dakota Feb. 20, 1889 Feb. 20, 1889 Feb. 22, 1889 25 Stat. 676c 50 S. 185c Tennessee State Citation(s) N/A N/A N/A N/A Texas Feb. 28, 1845 134-77b Feb. 27, 1845 27-25 Mar. 1, 1845 5 Stat. 797 28 H.J.Res. 46 Utah Dec. 13, 1893 July 10, 1894 July 16, 1894 28 Stat. 107c 53 H.R. 352c Vermont N/A N/A N/A N/A Virginia N/A N/A N/A N/A Washington Feb. 20, 1889 Feb. 20, 1889 Feb. 22, 1889 25 Stat. 676c 50 S. 185c West Virginia N/A N/A N/A N/A Wisconsin June 10, 1846 Aug. 5, 1846 Aug. 6, 1846 9 Stat. 56 29 H.R. 105 Wyoming N/A N/A N/A N/A Sources: Annals of Congress, Congressional Globe, Congressional Record, House Journal, Senate Journal, U.S. Statutes at Large. Notes: N/A means no enabling legislation was enacted ahead of final legislation to admit the state to the Union. Some enabling acts involved multiple future states. Only final votes on passage are listed. Two vote tallies are Congressional Research Service 8 Admission of States to the Union: A Historical Reference Guide listed if the question was divided. No vote count is listed when a measure was passed by voice vote. The effective date of legislation may differ from the date of presidential approval. Bills and resolutions are presented with the Congress number preceding the bill citation (e.g., H.R. 1 during the 50 th Congress would appear as 50 H.R. 1). No bill or resolution number is listed for legislation not identified in the record by number. a. Votes marked with “a” are based on the vote tally in the Congressional Record or predecessor publication, with no vote count listed in the House Journal or Senate Journal. b. Votes marked with “b” are based on the vote tally in the House Journal or Senate Journal, with the Congressional Record or predecessor publication listing a different vote count. c. Citations marked with “c” are combined enabling and admission acts, and appear in both Table 3 and Table 4. Table 4. Admission Acts Enacted legislation that admitted a state into the Union State Alabama House Passage Senate Passage Presidential Approval Citation(s) Dec. 8, 1819 Dec. 8, 1819 Dec. 14, 1819 3 Stat. 608 Alaska May 28, 1958 June 30, 1958 July 7, 1958 72 Stat. 339 210-166 64-20 Arizona Aug. 19, 1911 Aug. 18, 1911 53-9 Aug. 21, 1911 37 Stat. 39 62 S.J.Res. 57 Arkansas June 13, 1836 Apr. 4, 1836 June 15, 1836 5 Stat. 50 143-50 31-6 California Sept. 7, 1850 150-56 Aug. 13, 1850 34-18 Sept. 9, 1850 9 Stat. 452 31 S. 169 Colorado Mar. 3, 1875 164-76 Feb. 24, 1875 43-13a Mar. 3, 1875 18 Stat. 474c 43 H.R. 435c Connecticut N/A N/A N/A N/A 85 H.R. 7999 24 S. 178 Delaware N/A N/A N/A N/A Florida Feb. 13, 1845 144-48a Mar. 1, 1845 36-9 Mar. 3, 1845 5 Stat. 742 28 H.R. 497 Georgia N/A N/A N/A N/A Hawaii Mar. 12, 1959 Mar. 11, 1959 Mar. 18, 1959 73 Stat. 4 323-89 76-15 Idaho Apr. 3, 1890 129-1 July 1, 1890 July 3, 1890 26 Stat. 215 51 H.R. 4562 Illinois Nov. 23, 1818 Dec. 1, 1818 Dec. 3, 1818 3 Stat. 536 Indiana Dec. 9, 1816 Unanimousa Dec. 6, 1816 Dec. 11, 1816 3 Stat. 399 Iowa Dec. 21, 1846 Dec. 24, 1846 Dec. 28, 1846 9 Stat. 117 86 S. 50 117-34 29 H.R. 557 Kansas Jan. 28, 1861 Jan. 21, 1861 36-16 Kentucky Jan. 28, 1791 Louisiana Apr. 6, 1812 Maine Mar. 3, 1820 Congressional Research Service Jan. 29, 1861 12 Stat. 126 36 H.R. 23 Jan. 12, 1791 Feb. 4, 1791 1 Stat. 189 Apr. 1, 1812 Apr. 8, 1812 2 Stat. 701 Mar. 3, 1820 Mar. 3, 1820 3 Stat. 544 9 Admission of States to the Union: A Historical Reference Guide State Maryland House Passage Senate Passage Presidential Approval Citation(s) N/A N/A N/A N/A Massachusetts N/A N/A N/A N/A Michigan Jan. 25, 1837 132-43 Jan. 5, 1837 25-10 Jan. 26, 1837 5 Stat. 144 24 S. 81 Minnesota May 11, 1858 157-39a Apr. 7, 1858 49-3 May 11, 1858 11 Stat. 285 35 S. 86 Mississippi Dec. 8, 1817 Dec. 3, 1817 Dec. 10, 1817 3 Stat. 472 Missouri Feb. 26, 1821 87-81 Feb. 28, 1821 28-14 Mar. 2, 1821 3 Stat. 645 Montana Feb. 20, 1889 Feb. 20, 1889 Feb. 22, 1889 25 Stat. 676c 50 S. 185c Nebraska Jan. 15, 1867 Jan. 16, 1867 14 Stat. 391 103-55 28-14 Veto (Jan. 30, 1867) overridden by Senate (Feb. 8, 1867, 31-9) and House (Feb. 9, 1867, 120-44) Mar. 17, 1864 Feb. 24, 1864 Mar. 21, 1864 13 Stat. 30c 38 S. 96c New Hampshire N/A N/A N/A N/A New Jersey N/A N/A N/A N/A New Mexico Aug. 19, 1911 Aug. 18, 1911 53-9 Aug. 21, 1911 37 Stat. 39 62 S.J.Res. 57 New York N/A N/A N/A N/A North Carolina N/A N/A N/A N/A North Dakota Feb. 20, 1889 Feb. 20, 1889 Feb. 22, 1889 25 Stat. 676c 50 S. 185c Ohio May 19, 1953 Aug. 1, 1953 Aug. 7, 1953 67 Stat. 407 83 H.J.Res. 121 Oklahoma June 14, 1906 June 13, 1906 June 16, 1906 34 Stat. 267c Nevada 39 S. 456 59 H.R. 12707c Oregon Feb. 12, 1859 114-103 May 18, 1858 35-17 Feb. 14, 1859 11 Stat. 383 35 S. 239 Pennsylvania N/A N/A N/A N/A Rhode Island N/A N/A N/A N/A South Carolina N/A N/A N/A N/A South Dakota Feb. 20, 1889 Feb. 20, 1889 Feb. 22, 1889 25 Stat. 676c 50 S. 185c Tennessee May 30, 1796 May 31, 1796 June 1, 1796 1 Stat. 491 Texas Dec. 16, 1845 141-57a Dec. 22, 1845 31-14 Dec. 29, 1845 9 Stat. 108 29 H.J.Res. 2 Utah Dec. 13, 1893 July 10, 1894 July 16, 1894 28 Stat. 107c 53 H.R. 352c Congressional Research Service 10 Admission of States to the Union: A Historical Reference Guide House Passage Senate Passage Presidential Approval Citation(s) Feb. 14, 1791 Feb. 12, 1791 Feb. 18, 1791 1 Stat. 191 N/A N/A N/A N/A Washington Feb. 20, 1889 Feb. 20, 1889 Feb. 22, 1889 25 Stat. 676c 50 S. 185c West Virginia Dec. 10, 1862 96-55 July 14, 1862 23-17 Dec. 31, 1862 12 Stat. 633 37 S. 365 Wisconsin May 11, 1848 May 19, 1848 May 29, 1848 9 Stat. 233 30 H.R. 397 Wyoming July 8, 1890 June 27, 1890 29-18 July 10, 1890 26 Stat. 222 51 H.R. 982 State Vermont Virginia Sources: Annals of Congress, Congressional Globe, Congressional Record, House Journal, Senate Journal, U.S. Statutes at Large. Notes: N/A means no admission act (i.e., one of the 13 original states). Some admission acts involved multiple states. An admission act may have preceded a presidential proclamation formally admitting the state, and/or the effective date of admission may have differed from the date of presidential approval; see Table 1 for each state’s effective date of admission. Only final votes on passage are listed. Two vote tallies are listed if the question was divided. No vote count is listed when a vote tally was not recorded (e.g., a measure was passed by voice vote). Bills and resolutions are presented with the Congress number preceding the bill citation (e.g., H.R. 1 during the 50th Congress would appear as 50 H.R. 1). No bill or resolution number is listed for legislation not identified in the record by number. a. Votes marked with “a” are based on the vote tally in the Congressional Record or predecessor publication, with no vote count listed in the House Journal or Senate Journal. b. Votes marked with “b” are based on the vote tally in the House Journal or Senate Journal, with the Congressional Record or predecessor publication listing a different vote count. c. Citations marked with “c” are combined enabling and admission acts, and appear in both Table 3 and Table 4. Table 5. Referendum Votes State-level referendums, ratifications, and other statehood-related votes, including both popular votes and votes by delegates elected to a convention Referendum Question or Type Date Vote (Yes-No) Alabama N/A N/A N/A Alaska “Shall Alaska immediately be admitted into the Union as a State?” Aug. 26, 1958 40,452-8,010 Earlier statehood referendum held Oct. 8, 1946; state constitution ratified Apr. 24, 1956 Arizona Amendment to state constitution Dec. 12, 1911 14,963-1,980 Congress required amendment as condition for admission; state constitution ratified Feb. 9, 1911 State Congressional Research Service Notes N/A 11 Admission of States to the Union: A Historical Reference Guide State Referendum Question or Type Date Vote (Yes-No) Notes Arkansas Opinion of statehood Aug. 1, 1835 1,942-908 California Ratification of state constitution Nov. 13, 1849 12,061-811 Colorado Ratification of state constitution July 1, 1876 15,443-4,062 Connecticut Ratification of U.S. Constitution Jan. 9, 1788 128-40 Vote of delegates to state convention Delaware Ratification of U.S. Constitution Dec. 7, 1787 30-0 Vote of delegates to state convention Florida Ratification of state constitution May 6, 1839 2,071-1,958 Earlier statehood referendum held May 1, 1837 Georgia Ratification of U.S. Constitution Dec. 31, 1787 26-0 Vote of delegates to state convention; ratification formalized Jan. 2, 1788 Hawaii “Shall Hawaii immediately be admitted into the Union as a State?” June 27, 1959 132,773-7,971 Earlier statehood referendum held Nov. 5, 1940; state constitution ratified Nov. 7, 1950 Idaho Ratification of state constitution Nov. 5, 1889 12,398-1,773 Illinois N/A N/A N/A N/A Indiana N/A N/A N/A N/A Iowa Ratification of state constitution Aug. 3, 1846 9,492-9,036 Earlier state constitution rejected Apr. 7, 1845 and Aug. 4, 1845; earlier referendum Apr. 1, 1844 Kansas Ratification of state constitution Oct. 4, 1859 10,421-5,530 Earlier state constitution rejected Aug. 2, 1858 Kentucky Opinion of statehood July 28, 1790 24-18 Louisiana N/A N/A N/A Congressional Research Service Several counties allowed opinion on statehood to be recorded on territorial election ballot Vote of delegates to Ninth Kentucky Convention 12 Admission of States to the Union: A Historical Reference Guide State Referendum Question or Type Date Vote (Yes-No) Notes Maine “Should Maine separate from Massachusetts?” July 26, 1819 17,091-7,132 Earlier votes on separation held in 1792, 1797, 1807, and 1816 (twice) Maryland Ratification of U.S. Constitution Apr. 26, 1788 63-11 Vote of delegates to state convention; ratification formalized Apr. 28, 1788 Massachusetts Ratification of U.S. Constitution Feb. 6, 1788 187-168 Vote of delegates to state convention Michigan Ratification of state constitution Oct. 5-06, 1835 6,752-1,374 Later, on Dec. 15, 1836, a second state convention known as the “Frostbitten Convention” unanimously approved the conditions of the enabling act Minnesota Ratification of state constitution Oct. 13, 1857 30,055-571 Mississippi N/A N/A N/A N/A Missouri N/A N/A N/A N/A Montana Ratification of state constitution Oct. 1, 1889 24,676-2,274 Nebraska Ratification of state constitution June 2, 1866 3,938-3,838 Nevada Ratification of state constitution Sept. 7, 1864 10,375-1,284 New Hampshire Ratification of U.S. Constitution June 21, 1788 57-47 Vote of delegates to state convention New Jersey Ratification of U.S. Constitution Dec. 18, 1787 38-0 Vote of delegates to state convention New Mexico Amendment to state constitution Nov. 7, 1911 34,897-22,831 Congress required amendment as condition for admission; state constitution ratified Jan. 21, 1911 New York Ratification of U.S. Constitution July 26, 1788 30-27 Vote of delegates to state convention Congressional Research Service 13 Admission of States to the Union: A Historical Reference Guide State Referendum Question or Type Date Vote (Yes-No) Notes North Carolina Ratification of U.S. Constitution Nov. 21, 1789 194-77 Vote of delegates to second state convention; first convention voted Aug. 2, 1788 to demand amendments North Dakota Ratification of state constitution Oct. 1, 1889 27,441-8,107 Earlier referendum on dividing Dakota Territory held Nov. 8, 1887 Ohio N/A N/A N/A Oklahoma Ratification of state constitution Sept. 17, 1907 180,333-73,059 Indian Territory voted Nov. 7, 1905 on constitution for separate state of Sequoyah Oregon Ratification of state constitution Nov. 9, 1857 7,195-3,215 Earlier referendum on statehood held June 1857 Pennsylvania Ratification of U.S. Constitution Dec. 12, 1787 46-23 Vote of delegates to state convention Rhode Island Ratification of U.S. Constitution May 29, 1790 34-32 Vote of delegates to state convention South Carolina Ratification of U.S. Constitution May 23, 1788 149-73 Vote of delegates to state convention South Dakota Ratification of state constitution Oct. 1, 1889 70,131-3,267 Earlier referendum on dividing Dakota Territory held Nov. 8, 1887 Tennessee “Is it your wish if, on taking the enumeration, there should prove to be less than sixty thousand inhabitants, that the Territory shall be admitted as a State in to the Federal Union with such less number or not?” Sept. 15, 1795 to Nov. 15, 1795 6,504-2,562 Texas Annexation and ratification of state constitution Oct. 13, 1845 7,664-430 (annexation), 7,527536 (ratification) Utah Ratification of state constitution Nov. 5, 1895 31,305-7,607 Vermont Ratification of U.S. Constitution Jan. 10, 1791 105-4 Congressional Research Service N/A Vote of delegates to state convention 14 Admission of States to the Union: A Historical Reference Guide State Referendum Question or Type Date Vote (Yes-No) Notes Virginia Ratification of U.S. Constitution June 25, 1788 89-79 Washington Ratification of state constitution Oct. 1, 1889 40,152-11,879 West Virginia Ratification of state constitution March 26, 1863 28,321-572 Earlier vote on statehood Oct. 24, 1861 Wisconsin Ratification of state constitution March 13, 1848 16,759-6,384 Earlier state constitution rejected Apr. June 1847 Wyoming Ratification of state constitution Nov. 5, 1889 6,272-1,923 Vote of delegates to state convention Sources: Various; see citations in the “Statehood Timelines” section for details. Notes: N/A means no referendum or similar vote was located. In general, if multiple votes occurred as part of the statehood process (e.g., an initial referendum on whether to seek admission and a subsequent ratification vote on the state constitution), the final vote is described in the table (in this example, ratification of the state constitution) and the earlier vote (in this example, the initial referendum) is mentioned in the “Notes” column. Statehood Timelines Alabama • • • September 3, 1783: United States Alabama: 22nd State acquires part of the future Alabama from Great Britain in the Alabama Territory created March 3, 1817 (3 Stat. 371) Enabling law enacted March 2, 1819 (3 Stat. 489) Treaty of Paris. Additional Alabama admitted December 14, 1819 (3 Stat. 608) territory is later acquired in the Adams-Onís Treaty of 1819.20 January 17, 1817: Senator Charles Tait of Georgia reports, from a select committee, a bill that would create a new territorial government in the eastern part of the Mississippi Territory. He also reports a separate bill to prepare the western part of the territory for statehood.21 February 21, 1817: Senate passes the bill creating the Alabama Territory without a recorded vote.22 20 Harriet E. Amos Doss, “The State of Alabama,” in The Uniting States: The Story of Statehood for the Fifty United States, vol. 1, ed. Benjamin F. Shearer (Greenwood Press, 2004), pp. 24-53. 21 Journal of the Senate of the United States of America (Senate Journal), 14th Cong., 2nd sess. (January 17, 1817), p. 123; The Debates and Proceedings in the Congress of the United States (Annals of Congress), vol. 30, 14th Cong., 2nd sess. (January 17, 1817), p. 71. See the “Mississippi” timeline for information on the latter bill. 22 Senate Journal, 14th Cong., 2nd sess. (February 21, 1817), pp. 273-274; Annals of Congress, vol. 30, 14th Cong., 2nd sess. (February 21, 1817), p. 139. Congressional Research Service 15 Admission of States to the Union: A Historical Reference Guide • • • • • • • • • March 3, 1817: House passes the Alabama Territory bill without a recorded vote.23 President James Madison signs “[a]n Act to establish a separate territorial government for the eastern part of the Mississippi territory,” creating the Alabama Territory.24 December 11, 1818: Senate receives a petition from Alabama territorial officials “praying admission into the Union” as a state and refers it to a select committee.25 December 18, 1818: Senator Tait reports from the select committee a bill enabling Alabama to “form a constitution and state government” and join the Union.26 January 12, 1819: Senate passes the Alabama statehood bill without a recorded vote.27 February 19, 1819: House passes an amended version of the enabling act without a recorded vote.28 February 23, 1819: Senate concurs in the House’s amendments to the enabling act without a recorded vote.29 March 2, 1819: President James Monroe signs “[a]n Act to enable the people of the Alabama territory to form a constitution and state government, and for the admission of such state into the Union on an equal footing with the original states.”30 July 5, 1819: Delegates gather in Huntsville to write a state constitution for Alabama.31 August 2, 1819: Delegates at the Huntsville convention finalize and sign a state constitution for Alabama.32 23 Journal of the House of Representatives of the United States (House Journal), 14th Cong., 2nd sess. (March 3, 1817), p. 545; Annals of Congress, vol. 30, 14th Cong., 2nd sess. (March 3, 1817), p. 1066. 24 3 Stat. 371. 25 Senate Journal, 15th Cong., 2nd sess. (December 11, 1818), p. 70; Annals of Congress, vol. 33, 15th Cong., 2nd sess. (December 11, 1818), p. 66. 26 Senate Journal, 15th Cong., 2nd sess. (December 18, 1818), p. 86; Annals of Congress, vol. 33, 15th Cong., 2nd sess. (December 18, 1818), p. 75. 27 Senate Journal, 15th Cong., 2nd sess. (January 12, 1819), p. 143; Annals of Congress, vol. 33, 15th Cong., 2nd sess. (January 12, 1819), p. 121. 28 House Journal, 15th Cong., 2nd sess. (February 19, 1819), pp. 290-291; Annals of Congress, vol. 34, 15th Cong., 2nd sess. (February 19, 1819), p. 1272. 29 Senate Journal, 15th Cong., 2nd sess. (February 23, 1819), p. 295; Annals of Congress, vol. 33, 15th Cong., 2nd sess. (February 23, 1819), p. 253. 30 3 Stat. 489. 31 Journal of the Convention of the Alabama Territory Begun July 5, 1819 (Huntsville, AL: John Boardman, 1819), pp. 3-4. 32 Journal of the Convention of the Alabama Territory, pp. 38-39. Congressional Research Service 16 Admission of States to the Union: A Historical Reference Guide • • December 8, 1819: Senate adopts a joint resolution declaring Alabama admitted into the Union, without a recorded vote.33 House adopts the resolution without a recorded vote.34 December 14, 1819: President Monroe signs the admission resolution into law, establishing “[t]hat the state of Alabama shall be one, and is hereby declared to be one, of the United States of America.”35 Alaska • • • • • • • October 18, 1867: United States Alaska: 49th State purchases Alaska from Russia.36 Alaska Territory created August 24, 1912 (37 Stat. 512) May 17, 1884: President Chester A. Statehood law enacted July 7, 1958 (72 Stat. 339) Arthur signs “[a]n act providing a Alaska admitted January 3, 1959 (73 Stat. c16) civil government for Alaska,” which creates the District of Alaska.37 April 4, 1911: Delegate James Wickersham of Alaska introduces 62 H.R. 38,38 which would grant territory status to Alaska.39 April 24, 1912: House amends 62 H.R. 38 and passes it without a recorded vote.40 July 24, 1912: Senate amends 62 H.R. 38 and passes it without a recorded vote.41 August 17, 1912: Senate adopts conference report on 62 H.R. 38 without a recorded vote.42 August 20, 1912: House agrees to conference report on 62 H.R. 38 without a recorded vote.43 33 Senate Journal, 16th Cong., 1st sess. (December 8, 1819), p. 21; Annals of Congress, vol. 35, 16th Cong., 1st sess. (December 8, 1819), p. 20-21. 34 House Journal, 16th Cong., 1st sess. (December 8, 1819), p. 22; Annals of Congress, vol. 35, 16th Cong., 1st sess. (December 8, 1819), p. 710. 35 3 Stat. 608. 36 William S. Hanable, “The State of Alaska,” in Shearer, Uniting States, vol. 1, pp. 54-78. 37 23 Stat. 24. District status gave Alaska a governor and federal court, but no territorial legislature. See Jessica Van Buren, “Alaska Prestatehood Legal Research Resources,” in Prestatehood Legal Materials: A Fifty-State Research Guide, Including New York City and the District of Columbia, vol. 1, eds. Michael Chiorazzi and Marguerite Most (The Haworth Information Press, 2005), pp. 31-50. 38 Throughout this report, bills and resolutions are presented with the Congress number preceding the bill citation. In this instance, 62 H.R. 38 is H.R. 38 during the 62nd Congress. 39 House Journal, 62nd Cong., 1st sess. (April 4, 1911), p. 15; Congressional Record, vol. 47, part 1 (April 4, 1911), p. 22. 40 House Journal, 62nd Cong., 2nd sess. (April 24, 1912), pp. 598-599; Congressional Record, vol. 48, part 6 (April 24, 1912), pp. 5260-5303. 41 Senate Journal, 62nd Cong., 2nd sess. (July 24, 1912), p. 479; Congressional Record, vol. 48, part 10 (July 24, 1912), pp. 9535-9540. 42 Senate Journal, 62nd Cong., 2nd sess. (August 17, 1912), pp. 559-560; Congressional Record, vol. 48, part 11 (August 17, 1912), pp. 11164-11165. 43 House Journal, 62nd Cong., 2nd sess. (August 20, 1912), p. 994; Congressional Record, vol. 48, part 11 (August 20, 1912), pp. 11393-11394. Congressional Research Service 17 Admission of States to the Union: A Historical Reference Guide • • • • • • • • • • • August 24, 1912: President William Howard Taft signs 62 H.R. 38 into law, establishing a territorial government for Alaska.44 October 8, 1946: Alaska voters back statehood, 9,630 to 6,822, in a referendum.45 November 8, 1955: A constitutional convention called by the Territorial Legislature holds its first meeting at the University of Alaska, just outside Fairbanks.46 February 5, 1956: Delegates vote 54-0 to adopt a state constitution for Alaska.47 April 24, 1956: Alaska residents vote 17,477 to 7,180 in favor of ratifying the new state constitution.48 June 7, 1957: Representative Leo W. O’Brien of New York introduces 85 H.R. 7999, a bill for “the admission of the State of Alaska into the Union.”49 May 28, 1958: House votes 210-166 to pass 85 H.R. 7999.50 June 30, 1958: Senate votes 64-20 to pass 85 H.R. 7999.51 July 7, 1958: President Dwight Eisenhower signs 85 H.R. 7999 into law, admitting Alaska as a state pending a referendum vote.52 August 26, 1958: Alaskans approve statehood in a three-part referendum. On the question, “Shall Alaska immediately be admitted into the Union as a State?” the vote is 40,452 to 8,010.53 January 3, 1959: President Eisenhower issues Proclamation No. 3269, “Admission of the State of Alaska into the Union,” concluding the statehood process.54 Arizona Arizona: 48th State Arizona Territory created February 24, 1863 (12 Stat. 664) Enabling law enacted June 20, 1910 (36 Stat. 557) 44 37 Stat. 512. 45 Ernest Gruening, Annual Report of the Governor of Alaska to the Secretary of the Interior (GPO, 1947), p. 1. 46 Minutes of the Daily Proceedings, Alaska Constitutional Convention, vol. 1 (Alaska Legislative Council, 1965), p. 1. 47 Minutes of the Daily Proceedings, Alaska Constitutional Convention, vol. 5, pp. 3938-3939. 48 B. Frank Heintzleman, 1956 Annual Report, Governor of Alaska to the Secretary of the Interior (GPO, 1956), p. 1. 49 House Journal, 85th Cong., 1st sess. (June 7, 1957), p. 512; Congressional Record, vol. 103, part 7 (June 7, 1957), p. 8564. 50 House Journal, 85th Cong., 2nd sess. (May 28, 1958), pp. 408-409; Congressional Record, vol. 104, part 7 (May 28, 1958), pp. 9756-9757. 51 Senate Journal, 85th Cong., 2nd sess. (June 30, 1958), p. 435; Congressional Record, vol. 104, part 10 (June 30, 1958), p. 12650. 52 72 Stat. 339. 53 Alaska Division of Elections, Statehood Election: Final Results of Special Referendum Election, at https://www.elections.alaska.gov/Core/Archive/58STATE/1958-statehood.pdf. 54 73 Stat. c16. Congressional Research Service 18 Admission of States to the Union: A Historical Reference Guide • • • • • • • • • • • April 25, 1854: The United States Admission law enacted August 21, 1911 (37 Stat. 39) buys part of the land that will Arizona admitted February 14, 1912 (37 Stat. 1728) become Arizona from Mexico in the Gadsden Purchase, adding to land acquired in 1848 by the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.55 March 12, 1862: Representative James M. Ashley of Ohio reports 37 H.R. 357, a bill to create a territorial government for Arizona, from the House Committee on Territories.56 May 8, 1862: House passes 37 H.R. 357 without a recorded vote, after rejecting a motion to table the bill.57 February 20, 1863: Senates passes 37 H.R. 357 on a 25-12 vote.58 February 24, 1863: President Abraham Lincoln signs 37 H.R. 357 into law, creating the Territory of Arizona.59 January 14, 1910: Representative Edward L. Hamilton of Michigan introduces 61 H.R. 18166, which would enable Arizona and New Mexico to write constitutions in preparation for statehood.60 January 17, 1910: House suspends the rules and passes 61 H.R. 18166 without a recorded vote.61 June 16, 1910: Senate amends 61 H.R. 18166, then passes it on a 65-0 vote.62 June 18, 1910: House passes Senate-amended version of 61 H.R. 18166 without a recorded vote.63 June 20, 1910: President William Howard Taft signs 61 H.R. 18166 into law, enabling Arizona and New Mexico to write constitutions and form state governments.64 October 10, 1910: Delegates gather in Phoenix to write a state constitution for Arizona.65 55 Valerie L. Adams, “The State of Arizona,” in Shearer, Uniting States, vol. 1, pp. 79-105. 56 House Journal, 37th Cong., 2nd sess. (March 12, 1862), p. 439; Congressional Globe, 37th Cong., 2nd sess. (March 12, 1862), p. 1193. 57 The House Journal reported the vote on tabling the bill as 72-50, while the Congressional Globe reported the vote as 72-52. See House Journal, 37th Cong., 2nd sess. (May 8, 1862), pp. 657-659, and Congressional Globe, 37th Cong., 2nd sess. (May 8, 1862), pp. 2023-2030. 58 Senate Journal, 37th Cong., 3rd sess. (February 20, 1863), p. 300; Congressional Globe, 37th Cong., 3rd sess. (February 20, 1863), pp. 1125-1128. 59 12 Stat. 664. 60 House Journal, 61st Cong., 2nd sess. (January 14, 1910), p. 168; Congressional Record, vol. 45, part 1 (January 14, 1910), p. 654. 61 House Journal, 61st Cong., 2nd sess. (January 17, 1910), pp. 175-176; Congressional Record, vol. 45, part 1 (January 17, 1910), pp. 702-714. 62 Senate Journal 61st Cong., 2nd sess. (June 16, 1910), pp. 452-453; Congressional Record, vol. 45, part 8 (June 16, 1910), pp. 8225-8237. 63 House Journal, 61st Cong., 2nd sess. (June 18, 1910), p. 803; Congressional Record, vol. 45, part 8 (June 18, 1910), pp. 8485-8487. 64 36 Stat. 557. 65 Minutes of the Constitutional Convention of the Territory of Arizona (Press of Phoenix Printing Co., 1910), p. 5. Congressional Research Service 19 Admission of States to the Union: A Historical Reference Guide • • • • • • • • • December 9, 1910: Delegates vote 40-12 to adopt a state constitution for Arizona.66 February 9, 1911: Arizona voters ratify the state constitution by a vote of 12,534 to 3,920.67 August 15, 1911: President Taft vetoes 62 H.J.Res. 14, a joint resolution to admit Arizona and New Mexico as states, objecting to the provision of Arizona’s constitution that allows voters to recall judges.68 August 17, 1911: Senator William A. Smith of Michigan reports 62 S.J.Res. 57 from the Senate Committee on Territories. This joint resolution would admit Arizona and New Mexico as states, but it would first require Arizona to remove judicial recall from its state constitution.69 August 18, 1911: Senate debates and passes 62 S.J.Res. 57 on a 53-9 vote.70 August 19, 1911: House debates and passes 62 S.J.Res. 57 without a recorded vote.71 August 21, 1911: President Taft signs 62 S.J.Res. 57 into law, admitting New Mexico and Arizona as states once certain conditions have been met, including the amending of Arizona’s constitution to exempt judicial officers from recall.72 December 12, 1911: Arizona voters amend the state constitution to remove judicial recall, by a 14,963 to 1,980 vote, meeting President Taft’s demand.73 February 14, 1912: President Taft issues a proclamation admitting Arizona as the 48th state.74 Arkansas • • April 30, 1803: The United States Arkansas: 25th State acquires the land that will become Arkansas Territory created July 4, 1819 (3 Stat. 493) Arkansas from France in the Arkansas admitted June 15, 1836 (5 Stat. 50) Louisiana Purchase.75 December 16, 1818: House convenes a select committee to consider whether to create a separate territorial 66 Minutes of the Constitutional Convention of the Territory of Arizona, pp. 433-434. 67 Richard E. Sloan, Report of the Governor of Arizona to the Secretary of the Interior For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 1911 (GPO, 1911), p. 5. 68 William Howard Taft, Special Message of the President of the United States Returning Without Approval House Joint Resolution No. 14, H. Doc. 62-106 (GPO, 1911). 69 Senate Journal, 62nd Cong., 1st sess. (August 17, 1911), p. 178; Congressional Record, vol. 47, part 4 (August 17, 1911), p. 4061. 70 Senate Journal, 62nd Cong., 1st sess. (August 18, 1911), p. 185; Congressional Record, vol. 47, part 4 (August 18, 1911), pp. 4118-4141. 71 House Journal, 62nd Cong., 1st sess. (August 19, 1911), p. 390; Congressional Record, vol. 47, part 5 (August 19, 1911), pp. 4217-4242. 72 37 Stat. 39. See “New Mexico” timeline for details on its admission. 73 Voters would restore the provision in November 1912. See David R. Berman, Arizona Politics and Government: The Quest for Autonomy, Democracy, and Development (University of Nebraska Press, 1998), p. 35. 74 37 Stat. 1728. 75 William D. Baker, “The State of Arkansas,” in Shearer, Uniting States, vol. 1, pp. 106-133. Congressional Research Service 20 Admission of States to the Union: A Historical Reference Guide • • • • • • • • • • government for the “Arkansaw Country” (also spelled “Arkansas Country”) within the existing Missouri Territory.76 December 21, 1818: Representative George Robertson of Kentucky reports a bill from the select committee creating a new territory.77 February 20, 1819: House passes the bill to establish Arkansas Territory without a recorded vote on final passage, following days of debate and several close votes on amendments and procedural motions related to slavery in the territory.78 March 1, 1819: Senate passes the Arkansas Territory bill without a recorded vote on final passage, following a 19-14 vote to defeat a motion to recommit with instructions to report the bill back with an antislavery amendment.79 March 2, 1819: President James Monroe signs the law “establishing a separate territorial government in the southern part of the territory of Missouri.” The new territory, which will come into existence on July 4, 1819, is spelled “Arkansaw” in the statute, though “Arkansas” becomes the standard spelling.80 August 1, 1835: During territorial elections, several Arkansas counties allow voters to express an opinion of statehood on their ballots. The Arkansas Advocate newspaper reports the tally as 1,942 in favor and 908 opposed.81 January 4, 1836: Delegates gather in Little Rock to write a new state constitution for Arkansas.82 January 30, 1836: Delegates at the Little Rock convention vote 46-4 to adopt the Arkansas state constitution.83 March 10, 1836: Senate votes 22-17 to refer the Arkansas state constitution to a select committee.84 March 22, 1836: Senate select committee reports out 24 S. 178, a bill admitting Arkansas as a state.85 April 4, 1836: Senate votes 31-6 to pass 24 S. 178.86 76 House Journal, 15th Cong., 2nd sess. (December 16, 1818), pp. 107-108; Annals of Congress, vol. 33, 15th Cong., 2nd sess. (December 16, 1818), p. 413-414. 77 House Journal, 15th Cong., 2nd sess. (December 21, 1818), p. 119; Annals of Congress, vol. 33, 15th Cong., 2nd sess. (December 21, 1818), p. 422. 78 House Journal, 15th Cong., 2nd sess. (February 20, 1819), p. 296; Annals of Congress, vol. 34, 15th Cong., 2nd sess. (February 20, 1819), p. 1283. 79 Senate Journal, 15th Cong., 2nd sess. (March 1, 1819), pp. 324-325; Annals of Congress, vol. 33, 15th Cong., 2nd sess. (March 1, 1819), p. 274. 80 3 Stat. 493. 81 D.A. Stokes Jr., “The First State Elections in 1836,” Arkansas Historical Quarterly 20, no. 2 (Summer 1961), 126150. 82 Journal of the Proceedings of the Convention Met to Form a Constitution and System of State Government for the People of Arkansas (Little Rock, AR: Albert Pike, 1836), p. 3. 83 Journal of the Proceedings of the Convention Met to Form a Constitution ... for the People of Arkansas, p. 51. 84 Senate Journal, 24th Cong., 1st sess. (March 10, 1836), pp. 210-211; Congressional Globe, 24th Cong., 1st sess. (March 10, 1836), pp. 240. 85 Senate Journal, 24th Cong., 1st sess. (March 22, 1836), pp. 236-237; Congressional Globe, 24th Cong., 1st sess. (March 22, 1836), p. 275. 86 Senate Journal, 24th Cong., 1st sess. (April 4, 1836), pp. 266-267; Congressional Globe, 24th Cong., 1st sess. (April 4, 1836), pp. 315-316. Congressional Research Service 21 Admission of States to the Union: A Historical Reference Guide • • June 13, 1836: House votes 143-50 to pass 24 S. 178.87 June 15, 1836: President Andrew Jackson signs 24 S. 178 into law, admitting Arkansas into the Union.88 California • • • • • • • • • • February 2, 1848: The United States California: 31st State acquires California from Mexico in California admitted September 9, 1850 (9 Stat. 452) the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.89 June 3, 1849: Bennet Riley, the U.S. Army officer serving as governor of California, calls a convention with the purpose of “forming a State constitution or a plan for Territorial government.”90 September 1, 1849: Convention delegates begin to gather in Monterey.91 September 5, 1849: Convention delegates vote, 28-8, to draft a constitution and seek statehood for California rather than organize a territorial government.92 October 13, 1849: Convention delegates sign a state constitution for California.93 November 13, 1849: California residents ratify the state constitution by a vote of 12,061 to 811.94 January 29, 1850: Senator Henry Clay of Kentucky proposes what becomes the Compromise of 1850, a legislative package that includes California’s admission to the Union as a free state, in response to growing tensions between the North and South.95 February 13, 1850: President Zachary Taylor transmits the California state constitution to Congress.96 March 25, 1850: Senator Stephen A. Douglas of Illinois reports 31 S. 169, a bill to admit California as a state, from the Senate Committee on Territories.97 August 13, 1850: Senate debates and passes 31 S. 169 on a 34-18 vote.98 87 House Journal, 24th Cong., 1st sess. (June 13, 1836), pp. 997-1004; Congressional Globe, 24th Cong., 1st sess. (June 13, 1836), pp. 550-551. 88 5 Stat. 50. 89 Anne Woo-Sam, “The State of California,” in Shearer, Uniting States, vol. 1, pp. 134-160. 90 J. Ross Browne, Report of the Debates in the Convention of California, on the Formation of the State Constitution, in September and October, 1849 (Washington: John T. Towers, 1850), pp. 3-5. 91 Browne, Report of the Debates in the Convention of California, p. 7. 92 Browne, Report of the Debates in the Convention of California, p. 23. 93 Browne, Report of the Debates in the Convention of California, p. 476. 94 Francis Newton Thorpe (ed.), The Federal and State Constitutions, Colonial Charters, and Other Organic Laws of the States, Territories, and Colonies Now or Heretofore Forming the United States of America, vol. 1 (GPO, 1909), p. 391. 95 James McPherson, Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era (Oxford University Press, 1988), pp. 70-75. 96 House Journal, 31st Cong., 1st sess. (February 13, 1850), pp. 529-530; Senate Journal, 31st Cong., 1st sess. (February 13, 1850), pp. 148; Congressional Globe, 31st Cong., 1st sess. (February 13, 1850), pp. 347-350 and 355. 97 Senate Journal, 31st Cong., 1st sess. (March 25, 1850), p. 234; Congressional Globe, 31st Cong., 1st sess. (March 25, 1850), p. 592. 98 Senate Journal, 31st Cong., 1st sess. (August 13, 1850), p. 557; Congressional Globe, 31st Cong., 1st sess. (August 13, 1850), p. 1573. Congressional Research Service 22 Admission of States to the Union: A Historical Reference Guide • • September 7, 1850: House debates and passes 31 S. 169 on a 150-56 vote.99 September 9, 1850: President Millard Fillmore signs 31 S. 169 into law, admitting California as the 31st state.100 Colorado • • • • • • • February 2, 1848: The United Colorado: 38th State States acquires part of the land Colorado Territory created February 28, 1861 (12 Stat. 172) that will become Colorado Enabling and statehood law enacted March 3, 1875 (18 Stat. 474) from Mexico in the Treaty of Colorado admitted August 1, 1876 (19 Stat. 665) Guadalupe Hidalgo, adding to land acquired in the 1803 Louisiana Purchase and the 1845 annexation of Texas.101 April 3, 1860: Senator James S. Green of Missouri reports 36 S. 366, which would create a new territory, from the Senate Committee on Territories.102 February 4, 1861: Senate passes 36 S. 366 to create the Colorado Territory without a recorded vote, after also considering the names “Jefferson” and “Idaho.”103 February 18, 1861: House amends 36 S. 366, then passes it on a 90-44 vote.104 February 26, 1861: Senate votes 26-18 to pass the House-amended version of 36 S. 366.105 February 28, 1861: President James Buchanan signs 36 S. 366 into law, creating the Colorado Territory.106 December 8, 1873: Following attempts to admit Colorado that President Andrew Johnson vetoed in 1866 and 1867,107 Delegate Jerome B. Chaffee of Colorado introduces 43 H.R. 435, a bill to “enable the people of Colorado to form a constitution and State government, and for the admission of the said State into the Union on an equal footing with the original states.”108 99 House Journal, 31st Cong., 1st sess. (September 7, 1850), pp. 1415-1424; Congressional Globe, 31st Cong., 1st sess. (September 7, 1850), pp. 1769-1772. 100 9 Stat. 452. 101 William Virden, “The State of Colorado,” in Shearer, Uniting States, vol. 1, pp. 161-190. 102 Senate Journal, 36th Cong., 1st sess. (April 3, 1860), p. 335; Congressional Globe, 36th Cong., 1st sess. (April 3, 1860), pp. 1502. 103 Senate Journal, 36th Cong., 2nd sess. (February 4, 1861), p. 184; Congressional Globe, 36th Cong., 2nd sess. (February 4, 1861), pp. 728-729. 104 House Journal, 36th Cong., 2nd sess. (February 18, 1861), pp. 345-348; Congressional Globe, 36th Cong., 2nd sess. (February 18, 1861), pp. 1003-1005. 105 Senate Journal, 36th Cong., 2nd sess. (February 26, 1861), pp. 313-314; Congressional Globe, 36th Cong., 2nd sess. (February 26, 1861), pp. 1205-1206. 106 12 Stat. 172. 107 Ben: Perley Poore (ed.), Veto Messages of the Presidents of the United States, with the Action of Congress Thereon (Washington: GPO, 1886), pp. 305-308 and 331-337. 108 House Journal, 43rd Cong., 1st sess. (December 8, 1873), p. 80; Congressional Record, vol. 2, part 1 (December 8, 1873), p. 89. Congressional Research Service 23 Admission of States to the Union: A Historical Reference Guide • • • • • • • • June 8, 1874: House votes to suspend the rules and pass 43 H.R. 435.109 February 24, 1875: Senate debates and amends 43 H.R. 435, then passes it.110 March 3, 1875: House concurs in Senate amendments with a 164-76 vote to suspend the rules and pass the bill.111 March 3, 1875: President Ulysses S. Grant signs 43 H.R. 435 into law.112 December 20, 1875: Delegates gather in Denver to write a state constitution for Colorado.113 March 14, 1876: Colorado convention delegates vote 30-0 to approve the state constitution.114 July 1, 1876: Colorado residents vote 15,443 to 4,062 in favor of ratifying the new state constitution.115 August 1, 1876: President Grant issues a proclamation admitting Colorado as the 38th state.116 Connecticut • • • • April 23, 1662: King Charles II Connecticut: Fifth State grants a royal charter to the “Governor Connecticut ratified Constitution January 9, 1788 and Company of the English Colony of Connecticut in New-England, in America.”117 July 4, 1776: Connecticut joins 12 other colonies in declaring independence from Great Britain.118 July 9, 1778: Connecticut signs the Articles of Confederation.119 May 14-September 17, 1787: Connecticut’s three delegates participate in the Constitutional Convention.120 109 The House Journal reported the vote as 170-66, while the Congressional Record reported the vote as 171-66. See House Journal, 43rd Cong., 1st sess. (June 8, 1874), pp. 1132-1133, and Congressional Record, vol. 2, part 5 (June 8, 1874), pp. 4691-4692. 110 The Senate Journal reported the vote as 43-13, while the Congressional Record reported the vote as 42-12. See Senate Journal, 43rd Cong., 2nd sess. (February 24, 1875), pp. 337-339, and Congressional Record, vol. 3, part 3 (February 24, 1875), pp. 1671-1690. 111 House Journal, 43rd Cong., 2nd sess. (March 3, 1875), pp. 644-645; Congressional Record, vol. 3, part 3 (March 3, 1875), pp. 2238-2239. 112 18 Stat. 474. 113 Proceedings of the Constitutional Convention Held in Denver, December 20, 1875 to Frame a Constitution for the State of Colorado (Smith-Brooks Press, 1907), p. 15. 114 Proceedings of the Constitutional Convention ... for the State of Colorado, p. 708. 115 J. Warner Mills and John H. Gabriel, Mills Annotated Statutes of the State of Colorado, revised ed., vol. 1 (Mills Publishing Co., 1912), p. c24. 116 19 Stat. 665. 117 Thorpe, Federal and State Constitutions, vol. 1, pp. 529-536. 118 Worthington Chauncey Ford (ed.), Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789, vol. 5 (GPO, 1906) (July 4, 1776), pp. 510-516. 119 Journals of the Continental Congress, vol. 11 (July 9, 1778), p. 677. 120 Max Farrand (ed.), The Records of the Federal Convention of 1787, vol. 3 (Yale University Press, 1911), p. 557. Congressional Research Service 24 Admission of States to the Union: A Historical Reference Guide • January 9, 1788: Connecticut’s convention ratifies the Constitution, 128-40.121 Delaware • • • • • • August 24, 1682: James, Duke of Delaware: First State York, gives the land that will become Delaware ratified Constitution December 7, 1787 Delaware to William Penn, who had acquired Pennsylvania the prior year from the Duke’s brother, King Charles II.122 1704: A new legislature holds its first meeting in New Castle, though the three counties continue to share a governor with neighboring Pennsylvania and do not formally adopt the name “Delaware” until 1776.123 July 4, 1776: Delaware joins 12 other colonies in declaring independence from Great Britain.124 May 5, 1779: Delaware signs the Articles of Confederation.125 May 14-September 17, 1787: Delaware’s five delegates participate in the Constitutional Convention.126 December 7, 1787: Delaware’s convention ratifies the Constitution by a 30-0 vote, making it the first state to join the new federal government.127 Florida • • • February 22, 1819: The United Florida: 27th State States acquires Florida from Florida Territory created March 30, 1822 (3 Stat. 654) Spain in the Adams-Onís Florida admitted March 3, 1845 (5 Stat. 742) Treaty.128 February 6, 1822: Senator William Smith of South Carolina reports from the Senate Judiciary Committee a bill to establish a territorial government in Florida.129 March 8, 1822: Senate passes Florida Territory bill without a recorded vote.130 121 Jonathan Elliot (ed.), The Debates in the Several State Conventions on the Adoption of the Federal Constitution, vol. 1 (Washington: Printed For the Author, 1836), pp. 321-322; Merrill Jensen (ed.), The Documentary History of the Ratification of the Constitution, vol. 3 (State Historical Society of Wisconsin, 1978), pp. 554-562. 122 “The Duke of York’s Deed of Feoffment of Newcastle, and Twelve Miles Circle, to William Penn, August 24, 1682,” in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives of the Province of Pennsylvania, vol. 1, part 1 (Philadelphia: B. Franklin and D. Hall, 1752), pp. xxxvi-xxxvii. 123 Eileen B. Cooper, David King, and Mary Jane Mallonee, “Colonial Delaware Legal Bibliography,” in Chiorazzi and Most, Prestatehood Legal Materials, vol. 1, pp. 175-217. 124 Journals of the Continental Congress, vol. 5 (July 4, 1776), pp. 510-516. 125 Journals of the Continental Congress, vol. 14 (May 5, 1779), p. 548. 126 Farrand, Records, vol. 3, p. 558. 127 Elliot, Debates, vol. 1, p. 319; Documentary History of the Ratification of the Constitution, vol. 3, pp. 105-113. 128 Andrew K. Frank, “The State of Florida,” in Shearer, Uniting States, vol. 1, pp. 245-270. 129 Senate Journal, 17th Cong., 1st sess. (February 6, 1822), p. 115; Annals of Congress, vol. 38, 17th Cong., 1st sess. (February 6, 1822), p. 182. 130 Senate Journal, 17th Cong., 1st sess. (March 8, 1822), p. 176; Annals of Congress, vol. 38, 17th Cong., 1st sess. (March 8, 1822), p. 279. Congressional Research Service 25 Admission of States to the Union: A Historical Reference Guide • • • • • • • • • • March 27, 1822: House passes an amended version of the Florida Territory bill.131 Senate concurs in House amendments without a recorded vote.132 March 30, 1822: President James Monroe signs the law “for the establishment of a territorial government in Florida.”133 May 1, 1837: In a referendum on statehood, Florida residents vote 2,214 to 1,274 in favor of seeking admission to the Union.134 December 3, 1838: Delegates to a convention convened by the Florida Territory’s Legislative Council gather in St. Joseph to write a state constitution.135 January 11, 1839: Delegates vote 55-1 to approve the Florida state constitution.136 May 6, 1839: Florida voters ratify the new state constitution by a vote of 2,071 to 1,958.137 January 7, 1845: Representative Aaron V. Brown of Tennessee reports 28 H.R. 497, a bill to admit Florida and Iowa as states, from the House Committee on Territories.138 February 13, 1845: House votes 144-48 to pass 28 H.R. 497.139 March 1, 1845: Senate votes 36-9 to pass 28 H.R. 497.140 March 3, 1845: President John Tyler signs 28 H.R. 497 to admit Florida and Iowa as states. Florida’s admission is immediate, whereas Iowa’s admission is delayed until December 1846 due to a dispute over its borders.141 Georgia Georgia: Fourth State 131 The Annals of Congress states that the “question on the passage of the bill was…carried without opposition,” while the House Journal does not describe the vote. See House Journal, 17th Cong., 1st sess. (March 27, 1822), p. 404 and Annals of Congress, vol. 39, 17th Cong., 1st sess. (March 27, 1822), p. 1379. 132 Senate Journal, 17th Cong., 1st sess. (March 27, 1822), p. 229; Annals of Congress, vol. 38, 17th Cong., 1st sess. (March 27, 1822), p. 344. 133 3 Stat. 654. 134 R.K. Call, “Proclamation of Governor Call and Returns of the 1837 Election,” in Florida Becomes a State, ed. Dorothy Dodd (Florida Centennial Commission, 1945), pp. 109-112. 135 Journal of the Proceedings of a Convention of Delegates to Form a Constitution for the People of Florida, Held at St. Joseph, December, 1838 (St. Joseph, FL: Printed at the “Times” Office, 1839), p. 3. 136 Journal of the Proceedings of a Convention ... to Form a Constitution for the People of Florida, p. 117. 137 Dodd, Florida Becomes a State, pp. 69-70; Robert Raymond Reid, “Proclamation of President of the Constitutional Convention,” in Dodd, Florida Becomes a State, p. 340; Reid, “Statement of the Votes For and Against the Constitution,” in Dodd, Florida Becomes a State, pp. 376-378. 138 House Journal, 28th Cong., 2nd sess. (January 7, 1845), p. 177; Congressional Globe, 28th Cong., 2nd sess. (January 7, 1845), p. 104. 139 The House Journal reported the vote as 144-48, while the Congressional Globe reported the vote as 145-46. See House Journal, 28th Cong., 2nd sess. (February 13, 1845), pp. 375-381, and Congressional Globe, 28th Cong., 2nd sess. (February 13, 1845), pp. 282-286. 140 Senate Journal, 28th Cong., 2nd sess. (March 1, 1845), pp. 232-233; Congressional Globe, 28th Cong., 2nd sess. (March 1, 1845), pp. 377-383. 141 5 Stat. 742. See the “Iowa” timeline for details on its admission process. Congressional Research Service 26 Admission of States to the Union: A Historical Reference Guide • • • • • • June 9, 1732: King George II grants a Georgia ratified Constitution January 2, 1788 royal charter for the colony of Georgia.142 July 4, 1776: Georgia joins 12 other colonies in declaring independence from Great Britain.143 July 24, 1778: Georgia signs the Articles of Confederation.144 May 14-September 17, 1787: Georgia’s four delegates participate in the Constitutional Convention.145 December 31, 1787: Georgia’s convention votes 26-0 to ratify the Constitution.146 January 2, 1788: Georgia’s convention delegates sign a deed formally ratifying the Constitution.147 Hawaii • • • • • • July 7, 1898: The United States Hawaii: 50th State annexes the Republic of Hawaii.148 Hawaii Territory created April 30, 1900 (31 Stat. 141) December 6, 1899: Senator Shelby Statehood law enacted March 18, 1959 (73 Stat. 4) M. Cullom of Illinois introduces 56 S. Hawaii admitted August 21, 1959 (73 Stat. c74) 222, a bill to create a territorial government for the Hawaiian islands.149 March 1, 1900: Senate amends and passes 56 S. 222 without a recorded vote.150 April 6, 1900: House amends and passes 56 S. 222 by a 120-28 vote.151 April 25, 1900: Senate approves conference report on 56 S. 222 without a recorded vote.152 April 27, 1900: House approves conference report on 56 S. 222 by a 138-54 vote.153 142 Thorpe, Federal and State Constitutions, vol. 2, pp. 765-777. 143 Journals of the Continental Congress, vol. 5 (July 4, 1776), pp. 510-516. 144 Journals of the Continental Congress, vol. 11 (July 24, 1778), p. 716. 145 Farrand, Records, vol. 3, p. 559. 146 Documentary History of the Ratification of the Constitution, vol. 3, pp. 269-284. 147 Elliot, Debates, vol. 1, pp. 323-324. 148 J.D. Bowers, “The State of Hawaii,” in Shearer, Uniting States, vol. 1, pp. 295-324. 149 Senate Journal, 56th Cong., 1st sess. (December 6, 1899), p. 29; Congressional Record, vol. 33, part 1 (December 6, 1899), p. 89. 150 Senate Journal, 56th Cong., 1st sess. (March 1, 1900), p. 170; Congressional Record, vol. 33, part 3 (March 1, 1900), pp. 2438-2449. 151 The House Journal did not report the vote, but it appears in the Congressional Record. See House Journal, 56th Cong., 1st sess. (April 6, 1900), p. 443, and Congressional Record, vol. 33, part 4 (April 6, 1900), pp. 3851-3866. 152 Senate Journal, 56th Cong., 1st sess. (April 25, 1900), pp. 304-305; Congressional Record, vol. 33, part 5 (April 25, 1900), pp. 4648-4651. 153 House Journal, 56th Cong., 1st sess. (April 27, 1900), p. 512; Congressional Record, vol. 33, part 5 (April 27, 1900), pp. 4766-4767. Congressional Research Service 27 Admission of States to the Union: A Historical Reference Guide • • • • • • • • • • • April 30, 1900: President William McKinley signs 56 S. 222 into law, creating the Territory of Hawaii.154 November 5, 1940: Hawaii Territory voters back statehood, 46,174 to 22,428, in a plebiscite that asked, “Do you favor statehood for Hawaii?”155 April 3, 1950: Delegates to a convention convened by the territorial legislature gather in Honolulu to draft a state constitution.156 July 22, 1950: Delegates at the Honolulu convention vote 60-1 to adopt a state constitution.157 November 7, 1950: Hawaii residents vote 82,788 to 27,109 in favor of ratifying the state constitution.158 January 9, 1959: Senator James E. Murray of Montana introduces 86 S. 50, a bill to admit Hawaii as a state. The latest effort followed decades of debate and unsuccessful attempts to achieve statehood, but the bill is introduced less than a week after Alaska is admitted as the 49th state.159 March 11, 1959: Senate passes 86 S. 50 on a 76-15 vote.160 March 12, 1959: House passes 86 S. 50 on a 323-89 vote.161 March 18, 1959: President Dwight Eisenhower signs 86 S. 50 into law.162 June 27, 1959: Hawaii voters endorse statehood in a three-part referendum. The vote is 132,773 to 7,971 on the question, “Shall Hawaii immediately be admitted into the Union as a State?”163 August 21, 1959: President Eisenhower issues Proclamation 3309, “Admission of the State of Hawaii Into the Union,” formally admitting Hawaii as the 50th state.164 Idaho Idaho: 43rd State 154 31 Stat. 141. 155 Roger Bell, Last Among Equals: Hawaiian Statehood and American Politics (University of Hawai’i Press, 1984), pp. 71-78 and 353. 156 Proceedings of the Constitutional Convention of Hawaii, 1950, vol. 1 (State of Hawaii, 1960), p. 1. 157 Proceedings of the Constitutional Convention of Hawaii, vol. 1, p. 139. 158 U.S. Congress, Senate Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs, State Constitution of Hawaii, committee print, 85th Cong., 1st sess., March 28, 1957, p. iii. 159 Senate Journal, 86th Cong., 1st sess. (January 9, 1959), p. 26; Congressional Record, vol. 105, part 1 (January 9, 1959), p. 228. 160 Senate Journal, 86th Cong., 1st sess. (March 11, 1959), p. 175; Congressional Record, vol. 105, part 3 (March 11, 1959), p. 3890. 161 House Journal, 86th Cong., 1st sess. (March 12, 1959), p. 284; Congressional Record, vol. 105, part 3 (March 12, 1959), pp. 4038-4039. 162 73 Stat. 4. 163 Letter from William F. Quinn, Governor of the Territory of Hawaii, to Dwight Eisenhower, President of the United States of America, July 2, 1959, at https://www.eisenhowerlibrary.gov/sites/default/files/research/online-documents/ hawaii-statehood/1959-07-02-quinn-to-dde.pdf. 164 73 Stat. c74. Congressional Research Service 28 Admission of States to the Union: A Historical Reference Guide • • • • • • • • • • June 15, 1846: The United States Idaho Territory created March 3, 1863 (12 Stat. 808) acquires the Oregon Country, Idaho admitted July 3, 1890 (26 Stat. 215) including the land that will become Idaho, following a period of joint occupation with Great Britain.165 February 11, 1863: Representative James M. Ashley of Ohio reports 37 H.R. 738, a bill to create a new territorial government, from the House Committee on Territories.166 February 12, 1863: House amends and passes 37 H.R. 738.167 March 3, 1863: Senate amends 37 H.R. 738, naming the new territory “Idaho” instead of “Montana,” then passes it on a 25-12 vote.168 House concurs in Senate changes to 37 H.R. 738 by a vote of 65-33.169 President Abraham Lincoln signs 37 H.R. 738 into law, creating the Territory of Idaho.170 April 2, 1889: Idaho’s territorial governor calls a constitutional convention.171 July 4, 1889: Delegates meet in Boise to begin writing a state constitution.172 August 6, 1889: Delegates at the Boise convention vote 51-0 to adopt a state constitution for Idaho.173 November 5, 1889: Voters in Idaho ratify the state constitution by a 12,398 to 1,773 margin.174 January 13, 1890: Representative Isaac S. Struble of Iowa introduces 51 H.R. 4562, a bill “to provide for the admission of the State of Idaho.”175 April 3, 1890: House passes 51 H.R. 4562 by a 129-1 vote.176 165 Katherine G. Aiken, “The State of Idaho,” in Shearer, Uniting States, vol. 1, pp. 325-356. 166 The Congressional Globe reported the bill number as H.R. 626. See House Journal, 37th Cong., 3rd sess. (February 11, 1863), p. 369, and Congressional Globe, 37th Cong., 3rd sess. (February 11, 1863), pp. 884-885. 167 The House Journal records the vote as 86-40, while the Congressional Globe records the vote as 85-39. See House Journal, 37th Cong., 3rd sess. (February 12, 1863), pp. 379-381, and Congressional Globe, 37th Cong., 3rd sess. (February 12, 1863), p. 914. 168 Senate Journal, 37th Cong., 3rd sess. (March 3, 1863), pp. 415-416; Congressional Globe, 37th Cong., 3rd sess. (March 3, 1863), pp. 1507-1509. 169 The House Journal did not report the vote, but it appears in the Congressional Globe. See House Journal, 37th Cong., 3rd sess. (March 3, 1863), pp. 587, and Congressional Globe, 37th Cong., 3rd sess. (March 3, 1863), p. 1542. 170 12 Stat. 808. 171 E.A. Stevenson, “Proclamation,” April 2, 1889, Idaho State Archives, at https://idahohistory.contentdm.oclc.org/ digital/collection/p16281coll38/id/52. 172 I.W. Hart (ed.), Proceedings and Debates of the Constitutional Convention of Idaho, 1889, vol. 1 (Caxton Printers, 1912), p. 1. 173 Proceedings and Debates of the Constitutional Convention of Idaho, vol. 2, p. 2037. 174 George L. Shoup, Report of the Governor of Idaho to the Secretary of the Interior, 1890 (Washington: GPO, 1890), p. 88. 175 According to the Congressional Record, Rep. Edwin H. Conger of Iowa introduced the bill on behalf of Rep. Struble, who was “absent on account of sickness.” See House Journal, 51st Cong., 1st sess. (January 13, 1890), p. 110, and Congressional Record, vol. 21, part 1 (January 13, 1890), p. 523. 176 House Journal, 51st Cong., 1st sess. (April 3, 1890), p. 430; Congressional Record, vol. 21, part 3 (April 3, 1890), pp. 3005-3006. Congressional Research Service 29 Admission of States to the Union: A Historical Reference Guide • • July 1, 1890: Senate passes 51 H.R. 4562 without a recorded vote.177 July 3, 1890: President Benjamin Harrison signs 51 H.R. 4562 into law, admitting Idaho as the 43rd state.178 Illinois • • • • • • • • September 3, 1783: The United Illinois: 21st State States acquires the land that will Illinois Territory created March 1, 1809 (2 Stat. 514) become Illinois from Great 179 Enabling law enacted April 18, 1818 (3 Stat. 428) Britain in the Treaty of Paris. Illinois admitted December 3, 1818 (3 Stat. 536) December 31, 1808: Delegate Jesse B. Thomas of Indiana reports a bill to divide the Indiana Territory into two territories, from a select committee appointed to examine the issue.180 January 18, 1809: House votes 69-37 to pass the bill dividing Indiana Territory.181 January 31, 1809: Senate passes the Indiana Territory bill without a recorded vote.182 February 3, 1809: President Thomas Jefferson signs the bill to split the Indiana Territory, creating the Illinois Territory effective March 1, 1809.183 January 23, 1818: Delegate Nathaniel Pope of Illinois reports a bill allowing Illinois Territory residents to write a constitution and form a state government in preparation for admission to the Union, from a select committee appointed to review the territorial government’s petition seeking statehood.184 April 6, 1818: House passes the Illinois bill without a recorded vote.185 April 14, 1818: Senate passes an amended version of the Illinois bill without a recorded vote.186 177 Senate Journal, 51st Cong., 1st sess. (July 1, 1890), p. 411; Congressional Record, vol. 21, part 7 (July 1, 1890), p. 6834. 178 26 Stat. 215. 179 Michael E. Meagher, “The State of Illinois,” in Shearer, Uniting States, vol. 1, pp. 357-382. 180 House Journal, 10th Cong., 2nd sess. (December 31, 1808), p. 432; Annals of Congress, vol. 19, 10th Cong., 2nd sess. (December 31, 1808), pp. 971-973. 181 House Journal, 10th Cong., 2nd sess. (January 18, 1809), pp. 477-478; Annals of Congress, vol. 19, 10th Cong., 2nd sess. (January 18, 1809), pp. 1093-1095. 182 Senate Journal, 10th Cong., 2nd sess. (January 31, 1809), p. 336; Annals of Congress, vol. 19, 10th Cong., 2nd sess. (January 31, 1809), p. 339. 183 2 Stat. 514. 184 House Journal, 15th Cong., 1st sess. (January 23, 1818), p. 174; Annals of Congress, vol. 31, 15th Cong., 1st sess. (January 23, 1818), p. 814. 185 House Journal, 15th Cong., 1st sess. (April 6, 1818), p. 428; Annals of Congress, vol. 32, 15th Cong., 1st sess. (April 6, 1818), p. 1681. 186 Senate Journal, 15th Cong., 1st sess. (April 14, 1818), pp. 357-358; Annals of Congress, vol. 31, 15th Cong., 1st sess. (April 14, 1818), p. 365. Congressional Research Service 30 Admission of States to the Union: A Historical Reference Guide • • • • • • • April 15, 1818: House concurs in Senate amendments to the Illinois bill without a recorded vote.187 April 18, 1818: President James Monroe signs the Illinois enabling legislation into law.188 August 3-26, 1818: Delegates meet in Kaskaskia and draft a state constitution for Illinois.189 November 20, 1818: Representative Richard C. Anderson Jr. of Kentucky reports a joint resolution admitting Illinois to the Union, from a select committee appointed to review the state constitution.190 November 23, 1818: House passes the resolution admitting Illinois to the Union on a 117-34 vote.191 December 1, 1818: Senate passes the Illinois statehood resolution without a recorded vote.192 December 3, 1818: President Monroe signs into law the resolution admitting Illinois as the 21st state.193 Indiana • • • September 3, 1783: The United Indiana: 19th State States acquires the land that will Indiana Territory created July 4, 1800 (2 Stat. 58) become Indiana from Great Britain in Enabling law enacted April 19, 1816 (3 Stat. 289) the Treaty of Paris.194 Indiana admitted December 11, 1816 (3 Stat. 399) March 20, 1800: Representative William Craik of Maryland reports a bill to divide the Territory Northwest of the River Ohio (Northwest Territory) into two parts.195 March 31, 1800: House passes the Northwest Territory bill without a recorded vote.196 187 House Journal, 15th Cong., 1st sess. (April 15, 1818), pp. 466-467; Annals of Congress, vol. 32, 15th Cong., 1st sess. (April 15, 1818), p. 1738. 188 3 Stat. 428. 189 Richard V. Carpenter, “The Illinois Constitutional Convention of 1818,” Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society 6, no. 3 (October 1913), pp. 327-424; Illinois Legislative Reference Bureau, Constitutional Conventions in Illinois (Illinois State Journal Co., 1918), pp. 9-11. 190 House Journal, 15th Cong., 2nd sess. (November 20, 1818), p. 25; Annals of Congress, vol. 33, 15th Cong., 2nd sess. (November 20, 1818), pp. 297-298. 191 House Journal, 15th Cong., 2nd sess. (November 23, 1818), pp. 30-31; Annals of Congress, vol. 33, 15th Cong., 2nd sess. (November 23, 1818), pp. 305-311. 192 Senate Journal, 15th Cong., 2nd sess. (December 1, 1818), p. 43; Annals of Congress, vol. 33, 15th Cong., 2nd sess. (December 1, 1818), p. 32. 193 3 Stat. 536. 194 John P. Hundley, “The State of Indiana,” in Shearer, Uniting States, vol. 1, pp. 383-409. 195 House Journal, 6th Cong., 1st sess. (March 20, 1800), p. 635; Annals of Congress, vol. 10, 6th Cong. (March 20, 1800), 1st sess., p. 635. 196 House Journal, 6th Cong., 1st sess. (March 31, 1800), p. 646; Annals of Congress, vol. 10, 6th Cong., 1st sess. (March 31, 1800), p. 649. Congressional Research Service 31 Admission of States to the Union: A Historical Reference Guide • • • • • • • • • • • • April 21, 1800: Senate amends and passes the Northwest Territory bill without a recorded vote.197 May 3, 1800: House agrees to a compromise version of the Northwest Territory bill without a recorded vote.198 May 5, 1800: Senate agrees to the compromise version of the Northwest Territory bill without a recorded vote.199 May 7, 1800: President John Adams signs the bill to split the Northwest Territory, creating Indiana Territory in the west effective July 4, 1800.200 January 5, 1816: Delegate Jonathan Jennings of Indiana reports a bill enabling Indiana to write a constitution and form a state government in preparation for admission to the Union.201 March 30, 1816: House passes the Indiana bill on a 108-3 vote.202 April 13, 1816: Senate passes an amended version of the Indiana bill without a recorded vote.203 April 15, 1816: House agrees to the Senate’s amendments to the Indiana bill without a recorded vote.204 April 19, 1816: President James Madison signs the Indiana enabling act.205 June 10-29, 1816: Delegates meet in Corydon and draft a state constitution for Indiana.206 December 2, 1816: Senate appoints a select committee to investigate whether additional legislation is necessary to complete Indiana’s admission as a state.207 December 4, 1816: Senator Jeremiah Morrow of Ohio reports from the select committee a resolution declaring Indiana admitted to the Union.208 197 Senate Journal, 6th Cong., 1st sess. (April 21, 1800), p. 77; Annals of Congress, vol. 10, 6th Cong., 1st sess. (April 21, 1800), p. 164. 198 House Journal, 6th Cong., 1st sess. (May 3, 1800), p. 695; Annals of Congress, vol. 10, 6th Cong., 1st sess. (May 3, 1800), pp. 698-699. 199 Senate Journal, 6th Cong., 1st sess. (May 5, 1800), p. 86; Annals of Congress, vol. 10, 6th Cong., 1st sess. (May 5, 1800), p. 173. 200 2 Stat. 58. 201 House Journal, 14th Cong., 1st sess. (January 5, 1816), p. 128; Annals of Congress, vol. 29, 14th Cong., 1st sess. (January 5, 1816), pp. 459-461. 202 House Journal, 14th Cong., 1st sess. (March 30, 1816), pp. 554-555; Annals of Congress, vol. 29, 14th Cong., 1st sess. (March 30, 1816), p. 1300. 203 Senate Journal, 14th Cong., 1st sess. (April 13, 1816), p. 450; Annals of Congress, vol. 29, 14th Cong., 1st sess. (April 13, 1816), p. 315. 204 House Journal, 14th Cong., 1st sess. (April 15, 1816), p. 651; Annals of Congress, vol. 29, 14th Cong., 1st sess. (April 15, 1816), p. 1373. 205 3 Stat. 289. 206 Journal of the Convention of the Indiana Territory (Louisville: Butler & Wood, 1816), pp. 3 and 68-69. 207 Senate Journal, 14th Cong., 2nd sess. (December 2, 1816), p. 5; Annals of Congress, vol. 30, 14th Cong., 2nd sess. (December 2, 1816), pp. 9-10. 208 Senate Journal, 14th Cong., 2nd sess. (December 4, 1816), pp. 27-28; Annals of Congress, vol. 30, 14th Cong., 2nd sess. (December 4, 1816), p. 18. Congressional Research Service 32 Admission of States to the Union: A Historical Reference Guide • • • December 6, 1816: Senate amends and passes the Indiana statehood resolution without a recorded vote.209 December 9, 1816: House passes Indiana statehood resolution.210 December 11, 1816: President Madison signs the resolution admitting Indiana as the 19th state.211 Iowa • • • • • • • • April 30, 1803: The United States Iowa: 29th State acquires the land that will become Iowa Iowa Territory created July 3, 1838 (5 Stat. 235) from France in the Louisiana Iowa admitted December 28, 1846 (9 Stat. 117) Purchase.212 March 14, 1838: Senator Thomas Morris of Ohio introduces 25 S. 269, a bill to create a new Iowa Territory.213 June 1, 1838: Senate passes 25 S. 269 without a recorded vote.214 June 6, 1838: House amends 25 S. 269 before passing it on a 118-51 vote.215 Senate passes the House-amended bill without a recorded vote, following a 33-6 vote against tabling the bill.216 June 12, 1838: President Martin Van Buren signs 25 S. 269 into law, creating the Iowa Territory effective July 3, 1838.217 April 1, 1844: Iowa Territory voters, by a margin of 6,976 to 4,181, support calling a convention to write a state constitution.218 October 7-November 1, 1844: Delegates meet in Iowa City and draft a state constitution.219 March 3, 1845: President John Tyler signs 28 H.R. 497, a bill to admit Florida and Iowa as states.220 However, Iowa’s admission is made conditional on the 209 Senate Journal, 14th Cong., 2nd sess. (December 6, 1816), pp. 33-34; Annals of Congress, vol. 30, 14th Cong., 2nd sess. (December 6, 1816), pp. 20-21. 210 The House Journal did not report a specific vote count, while the Annals of Congress reported that the vote was unanimous. See House Journal, 14th Cong., 2nd sess. (December 9, 1816), p. 44, and Annals of Congress, vol. 30, 14th Cong., 2nd sess. (December 9, 1816), p. 254. 211 3 Stat. 399. 212 William Roba, “The State of Iowa,” in Shearer, Uniting States, vol. 1, pp. 410-433. 213 Senate Journal, 25th Cong., 2nd sess. (March 14, 1838), pp. 290-291; Congressional Globe, 25th Cong., 2nd sess. (March 14, 1838), p. 239. 214 Senate Journal, 25th Cong., 2nd sess. (June 1, 1838), pp. 440-441. The Congressional Globe did not report passage of the bill. 215 House Journal, 25th Cong., 2nd sess. (June 6, 1838), pp. 1042-1044; Congressional Globe, 25th Cong., 2nd sess. (June 6, 1838), p. 432. 216 Senate Journal, 25th Cong., 2nd sess. (June 6, 1838), pp. 448-449; Congressional Globe, 25th Cong., 2nd sess. (June 6, 1838), pp. 434-435. 217 5 Stat. 235. 218 Roba, “The State of Iowa,” p. 423. 219 Journal of the Convention for the Formation of a Constitution for the State of Iowa, Begun and Held at Iowa City, on the First Monday of October, Eighteen Hundred and Forty-Four (Iowa City, IA: Jesse Williams, 1845), pp. 3 and 211. 220 5 Stat. 742; see the “Florida” timeline for additional details on this legislation. Congressional Research Service 33 Admission of States to the Union: A Historical Reference Guide • • • • • • • territory accepting “truncated boundaries” for the state. Iowa voters twice—on April 7, 1845, and August 4, 1845—reject ratification of a state constitution with those borders.221 May 4-19, 1846: Delegates meet in Iowa City and draft a second state constitution, with modified boundaries.222 August 3, 1846: Iowa voters ratify their new constitution by a vote of 9,492 to 9,036.223 August 4, 1846: President James K. Polk signs into law the compromise over Iowa’s borders, resolving the dispute and clearing the way for statehood.224 December 17, 1846: Representative Stephen A. Douglas of Illinois reports 29 H.R. 557, a bill to admit Iowa as a state, from the House Committee on Territories.225 December 21, 1846: House passes 29 H.R. 557 without a recorded vote.226 December 24, 1846: Senate passes 29 H.R. 557 without a recorded vote following a 40-2 vote to reject an amendment.227 December 28, 1846: President Polk signs 29 H.R. 557 into law, admitting Iowa into the Union.228 Kansas • • April 30, 1803: The United States Kansas: 34th State acquires part of the land that will become Kansas from France in the Kansas Territory created May 30, 1854 (10 Stat. 277) Louisiana Purchase, with additional Kansas admitted January 29, 1861 (12 Stat. 126) territory acquired in 1845 in the annexation of Texas.229 December 14, 1853: Senator Augustus Caesar Dodge of Iowa introduces 33 S. 22, a bill to create a new Nebraska Territory.230 221 Roba, “The State of Iowa,” p. 424. 222 Journal of the Convention for the Formation of a Constitution for the State of Iowa, Begun and Held at Iowa City, on the First Monday of May, Eighteen Hundred and Forty-Six (Iowa City, IA: Abraham M. Palmer, 1846), pp. 23 and 109; James Alton James, Constitution and Admission of Iowa Into the Union (Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins Press, 1900), pp. 33-34. 223 James Clarke, “Proclamation by the Governor of the Territory of Iowa” (September 9, 1846) in U.S. Congress, House, Constitution of Iowa, 29th Cong., 2nd sess., December 15, 1846, H.Doc. 29-16, p. 17. 224 9 Stat. 52; James, Constitution and Admission of Iowa Into the Union, pp. 37-39. 225 House Journal, 29th Cong., 2nd sess. (December 17, 1846), p. 62; Congressional Globe, 29th Cong., 2nd sess. (December 17, 1846), p. 53. 226 House Journal, 29th Cong., 2nd sess. (December 21, 1846), p. 81; Congressional Globe, 29th Cong., 2nd sess. (December 21, 1846), pp. 57-58. 227 Senate Journal, 29th Cong., 2nd sess. (December 24, 1846), pp. 69-70; Congressional Globe, 29th Cong., 2nd sess. (December 24, 1846), pp. 79-82. 228 9 Stat. 117. 229 M.H. Hoeflich, “The State of Kansas,” in Shearer, Uniting States, vol. 1, pp. 434-459. 230 Senate Journal, 33rd Cong., 1st sess. (December 14, 1853), p. 44; Congressional Globe, 33rd Cong., 1st sess. (December 14, 1853), p. 44. Congressional Research Service 34 Admission of States to the Union: A Historical Reference Guide • • • • • • • • • January 31, 1854: Representative William A. Richardson of Illinois reports 33 H.R. 236, a bill creating new territorial governments for Kansas and Nebraska, from the House Committee on Territories.231 March 3, 1854: Senate votes 37-14 to pass 33 S. 22, which as amended would create two new territories, Kansas and Nebraska.232 May 22, 1854: House passes an amended version of 33 H.R. 236 on a 113-100 vote, in lieu of voting on the Senate-passed 33 S. 22.233 May 25, 1854: Senate passes 33 H.R. 236 on a 35-13 vote.234 May 30, 1854: President Franklin Pierce signs 33 H.R. 236 into law, creating the Kansas and Nebraska territories and repealing the 1820 Missouri Compromise, which would have barred slavery in the new territories. Instead, the KansasNebraska Act leaves residents of the two territories “perfectly free to form and regulate their domestic institutions in their own way.”235 February 2, 1858: President James Buchanan recommends that Congress admit Kansas under a pro-slavery state constitution drafted in Lecompton amid years of violence in the territory between anti- and pro-slavery factions. Faced with opposition in the House, the law signed by President Buchanan on May 4, 1858, requires a “fair and free” vote by Kansans on the Lecompton Constitution as a condition of statehood. Kansas voters overwhelmingly reject the Lecompton Constitution in an August 2, 1858 referendum.236 July 5, 1859: Delegates gather in Wyandotte to draft a new state constitution, the territory’s fourth constitutional convention following gatherings in Topeka in 1855, Lecompton in 1857, and Leavenworth in 1858.237 July 29, 1859: The Wyandotte convention votes 34-13 to adopt a new, antislavery state constitution.238 October 4, 1859: Kansas voters ratify the Wyandotte Constitution by a vote of 10,421 to 5,530.239 231 House Journal, 33rd Cong., 1st sess. (January 31, 1854), p. 296; Congressional Globe, 33rd Cong., 1st sess. (January 31, 1854), pp. 294-297. 232 Senate Journal, 33rd Cong., 1st sess. (March 3, 1854), pp. 236-237; Congressional Globe, 33rd Cong., 1st sess. (March 3, 1854), pp. 531-532. 233 House Journal, 33rd Cong., 1st sess. (May 22, 1854), pp. 923-924; Congressional Globe, 33rd Cong., 1st sess. (May 22, 1854), p. 1254. 234 Senate Journal, 33rd Cong., 1st sess. (May 25, 1854), pp. 412-413; Congressional Globe, 33rd Cong., 1st sess. (May 25, 1854), p. 1321. 235 10 Stat. 277. Additional documents related to the Kansas-Nebraska Act are available in the Library of Congress research guide “Kansas-Nebraska Act: Primary Documents in American History,” at https://guides.loc.gov/kansasnebraska-act. 236 McPherson, Battle Cry of Freedom, pp. 167-169; 11 Stat. 269. 237 Kansas Historical Society, “Kansas Constitutions,” in Kansapedia, at https://www.kshs.org/kansapedia/kansasconstitutions/16532. 238 Harry G. Larimer (ed.), Kansas Constitutional Convention: A Reprint of the Proceedings and Debates of the Convention Which Framed the Constitution of Kansas at Wyandotte in July, 1859 (Kansas State Printing Plant, 1920), pp. 570-571. 239 Samuel Medary, “Proclamation” (November 1, 1859) in U.S. Congress, House Committee on Territories, Kansas, report to accompany H.R. 23, 36th Cong., 1st sess., H.Rept. 36-255, March 29, 1860, pp. 20-21. Congressional Research Service 35 Admission of States to the Union: A Historical Reference Guide • • • • • February 15, 1860: Representative Galusha A. Grow of Pennsylvania introduces 36 H.R. 23, a bill to admit Kansas to the Union.240 April 11, 1860: House votes to pass 36 H.R. 23.241 January 21, 1861: Senate amends 36 H.R. 23 and passes it by a 36-16 vote.242 January 28, 1861: House votes 119-41 to suspend the rules and take up 36 H.R. 23, then agrees to the Senate’s amendments without a recorded vote.243 January 29, 1861: President Buchanan signs 36 H.R. 23 into law, admitting Kansas as the 34th state.244 Kentucky • • • • • • December 31, 1776: Virginia’s General Kentucky: 15th State Assembly establishes Kentucky County Kentucky admitted June 1, 1792 (1 Stat. 189) in the western part of the 245 commonwealth. November 1, 1780: Virginia’s General Assembly splits Kentucky into multiple counties and subsequently refers to the area as the District of Kentucky.246 July 3, 1788: Congress, still operating under the Articles of Confederation, decides to postpone a decision on statehood for Kentucky until the new federal government convenes in 1789.247 December 18, 1789: Virginia’s General Assembly enacts a law “concerning the erection of the district of Kentuckey [sic] into an independent state,” clearing the way for Kentucky to secede from Virginia and enter the Union on its own.248 July 28, 1790: Delegates gathered in Danville vote 24-18 that “it is expedient for, and the will of, the good people of the District of Kentucky that the same be erected into an Independent State.”249 December 8, 1790: President George Washington asks Congress to consider Kentucky’s application for statehood.250 240 House Journal, 36th Cong., 1st sess. (February 15, 1860), p. 294; Congressional Globe, 36th Cong., 1st sess. (February 15, 1860), p. 795. 241 The House Journal reported the vote as 135-72, while the Congressional Globe reported the vote as 134-73. See House Journal, 36th Cong., 1st sess. (April 11, 1860), pp. 707-708, and Congressional Globe, 36th Cong., 1st sess. (April 11, 1860), p. 1672. 242 Senate Journal, 36th Cong., 2nd sess. (January 21, 1861), pp. 127-128; Congressional Globe, 36th Cong., 2nd sess. (January 21, 1861), pp. 487-489. 243 House Journal, 36th Cong., 2nd sess. (January 28, 1861), pp. 236-237; Congressional Globe, 36th Cong., 2nd sess. (January 28, 1861), pp. 603-604. 244 12 Stat. 126. 245 William Waller Hening (ed.), The Statutes at Large; Being a Collection of All the Laws of Virginia, From the First Session of the Legislature, in the Year 1619, vol. 9 (Richmond, VA: J&G Cochran, Printers, 1821), pp. 257-261. 246 Hening, Statutes at Large, vol. 10, pp. 315-317 and 436. 247 Journals of the Continental Congress, vol. 34 (July 3, 1788), pp. 287-294. 248 Hening, Statutes at Large, vol. 13, pp. 17-21. 249 Letter from George Muter, President of the Ninth Kentucky Convention, to George Washington, President of the United States of America, October 4, 1790, at https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/05-06-02-0250. 250 Washington, “Second Annual Address to Congress” (December 8, 1790), American Presidency Project (University of California, Santa Barbara), at https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/node/203719. Congressional Research Service 36 Admission of States to the Union: A Historical Reference Guide • • • • • • • • • December 14, 1790: Senate creates a committee to consider Kentucky statehood.251 January 3, 1791: Senator Philip Schuyler of New York reports the committee’s recommendation that Kentucky be granted statehood.252 January 4, 1791: Senate committee assigned to consider Kentucky statehood reports a bill admitting Kentucky to the Union.253 January 12, 1791: Senate passes the Kentucky bill without a recorded vote.254 January 28, 1791: House passes the Kentucky bill without a recorded vote.255 February 4, 1791: President Washington signs into law the act declaring that on June 1, 1792, Kentucky will “be received and admitted into this Union, as a new and entire member of the United States of America.”256 April 2, 1792: Delegates gather in Danville to write a state constitution.257 April 19, 1792: Delegates in Danville adopt a state constitution for Kentucky.258 June 1, 1792: Kentucky joins the Union as the 15th state.259 Louisiana • • • April 30, 1803: Robert Livingston Louisiana: 18th State and James Monroe sign the Louisiana Orleans Territory created March 26, 1804 (2 Stat. 283) Purchase Treaty and Conventions in Enabling law enacted February 20, 1811 (2 Stat. 641) Paris, France.260 Louisiana admitted April 30, 1812 (2 Stat. 701) October 20, 1803: The Senate ratifies the Louisiana Purchase treaty by a vote of 24-7.261 December 30, 1803: Senator John Breckinridge of Kentucky reports a bill “erecting Louisiana into two territories,” from a committee appointed to study the issue.262 251 Senate Journal, 1st Cong., 3rd sess. (December 14, 1790), p. 222; Annals of Congress, vol. 2, 1st Cong., 3rd sess. (December 14, 1790), p. 1777. 252 Senate Journal, 1st Cong., 3rd sess. (January 3, 1791), pp. 228-229; Annals of Congress, vol. 2, 1st Cong., 3rd sess. (January 3, 1791), pp. 1784-1785. 253 Senate Journal, 1st Cong., 3rd sess. (January 4, 1791), p. 229; Annals of Congress, vol. 2, 1st Cong., 3rd sess. (January 4, 1791), p. 1785. 254 Senate Journal, 1st Cong., 3rd sess. (January 12, 1791), p. 232; Annals of Congress, vol. 2, 1st Cong., 3rd sess. (January 12, 1791), p. 1788. 255 House Journal, 1st Cong., 3rd sess. (January 28, 1791), p. 366; Annals of Congress, vol. 2, 1st Cong., 3rd sess. (January 28, 1791), p. 1934. 256 1 Stat. 189. 257 Journal of the First Constitutional Convention of Kentucky (State Bar Association of Kentucky, 1942), p. 1. 258 Journal of the First Constitutional Convention of Kentucky, p. 22. 259 Stephen Asperheim, “The Commonwealth of Kentucky,” in Shearer, Uniting States, vol. 1, pp. 460-485. 260 8 Stat. 200. 261 Senate Journal, 8th Cong., 1st sess. (October 20, 1803), p. 450. This does not appear in the Annals of Congress. 262 Senate Journal, 8th Cong., 1st sess. (December 30, 1803), p. 331; Annals of Congress, vol. 13, 8th Cong., 1st sess. (December 30, 1803), p. 223. Congressional Research Service 37 Admission of States to the Union: A Historical Reference Guide • • • • • • • • • • • February 18, 1804: The Senate passes an amended version of the bill “erecting Louisiana into two Territories” by a vote of 20-5.263 March 17, 1804: The House passes an amended version of the bill splitting the Louisiana Purchase into two territories by a vote of 66-21.”264 March 20, 1804: The Senate rejects several of the House’s changes to the Louisiana bill.265 March 21, 1804: The House requests a conference committee with the Senate to resolve differences over the Louisiana bill.266 March 23, 1804: House votes 51-45 to pass a compromise version of the Louisiana bill,267 followed by a 15-9 vote in the Senate.268 March 26, 1804: President Thomas Jefferson signs the act splitting the Louisiana Purchase into two areas: the Territory of Orleans, including the city of New Orleans, and the District of Louisiana, covering the bulk of the land acquired from France.269 December 27, 1810: Representative Nathaniel Macon of North Carolina introduces a bill that would enable Orleans Territory residents to draft a constitution and form a state government in preparation for statehood.270 January 15, 1811: House passes the Orleans Territory bill by a 77-36 vote.271 February 7, 1811: Senate passes an amended version of the Orleans Territory bill by a 22-10 vote.272 February 13, 1811: House agrees to the Senate’s amendment by a 69-45 vote.273 February 20, 1811: President James Madison signs the act enabling Orleans Territory to prepare for statehood.274 263 Senate Journal, 8th Cong., 1st sess. (February 18, 1804), p. 360; Annals of Congress, vol. 13, 8th Cong., 1st sess. (February 18, 1804), p. 255. 264 House Journal, 8th Cong., 1st sess. (March 17, 1804), pp. 661-662; Annals of Congress, vol. 13, 8th Cong., 1st sess. (March 17, 1804), p. 1199. 265 Senate Journal, 8th Cong., 1st sess. (March 20, 1804), pp. 384-385; Annals of Congress, vol. 13, 8th Cong., 1st sess. (March 20, 1804), pp. 288-290. 266 House Journal, 8th Cong., 1st sess. (March 21, 1804), p. 661; Annals of Congress, vol. 13, 8th Cong., 1st sess. (March 21, 1804), pp. 1206-1208. 267 House Journal, 8th Cong., 1st sess. (March 23, 1804), pp. 678-679; Annals of Congress, vol. 13, 8th Cong., 1st sess. (March 23, 1804), pp. 1229-1230. 268 Senate Journal, 8th Cong., 1st sess. (March 23, 1804), p. 391; Annals of Congress, vol. 13, 8th Cong., 1st sess. (March 23, 1804), pp. 296-297. 269 2 Stat. 283. The District of Louisiana will later become the Louisiana Territory and, in 1812, the Missouri Territory. See the “Missouri” timeline for details. 270 House Journal, 11th Cong., 3rd sess. (December 27, 1810), p. 464; Annals of Congress, vol. 22, 11th Cong., 3rd sess. (December 27, 1810), p. 466. 271 House Journal, 11th Cong., 3rd sess. (January 15, 1811), pp. 483-485; Annals of Congress, vol. 22, 11th Cong., 3rd sess. (January 15, 1811), p. 577. 272 Senate Journal, 11th Cong., 3rd sess. (February 7, 1811), p. 564; Annals of Congress, vol. 22, 11th Cong., 3rd sess. (February 7, 1811), p. 127. 273 House Journal, 11th Cong., 3rd sess. (February 13, 1811), pp. 549-551; Annals of Congress, vol. 22, 11th Cong., 3rd sess. (February 13, 1811), p. 964. 274 2 Stat. 641. Congressional Research Service 38 Admission of States to the Union: A Historical Reference Guide • • • • • • • • November 4, 1811: A constitutional convention begins in New Orleans.275 January 22, 1812: Delegates to the New Orleans convention sign a state constitution for Louisiana.276 March 16, 1812: Representative John Dawson of Virginia introduces a bill to admit Louisiana as a state.277 March 20, 1812: House votes 79-23 to pass the Louisiana statehood bill.278 April 1, 1812: Senate passes an amended version of the Louisiana statehood act without a recorded vote.279 April 6, 1812: House agrees to the Senate-amended version of the admission act without a recorded vote.280 April 8, 1812: President Madison signs the act admitting Louisiana into the Union, which will take effect on April 30.281 April 30, 1812: Louisiana becomes the 18th state. Maine • October 7, 1691: A new charter Maine: 23rd State for the Massachusetts Bay colony Maine admitted March 15, 1820 (3 Stat. 544) enlarges it to include Maine, among other places. Maine will remain part of Massachusetts for more than a century.282 • June 19, 1819: Massachusetts consents to Maine’s separation and statehood, pending the outcome of a referendum vote and other steps.283 July 26, 1819: Mainers vote in favor of separating from Massachusetts, 17,091 to 7,132. It is the sixth in a series of votes on the subject going back to 1792.284 • 275 Journal de la Convention d’Orléans de 1811-12 (Jackson, LA: Jerome Bayon, 1844), p. 1. 276 Constitution or Form of Government of the State of Louisiana (New Orleans: Jo. Bar. Baird, 1812), p. 30. 277 House Journal, 12th Cong., 1st sess. (March 16, 1812), p. 248; Annals of Congress, vol. 24, 12th Cong., 1st sess. (March 16, 1812), p. 466. 278 House Journal, 12th Cong., 1st sess. (March 20, 1812), pp. 257-258; Annals of Congress, vol. 24, 12th Cong., 1st sess. (March 20, 1812), p. 1227. 279 Senate Journal, 12th Cong., 1st sess. (April 1, 1812), pp. 90-91; Annals of Congress, vol. 23, 12th Cong., 1st sess. (April 1, 1812), p. 186. 280 House Journal, 12th Cong., 1st sess. (April 6, 1812), p. 276; Annals of Congress, vol. 24, 12th Cong., 1st sess. (April 6, 1812), p. 1254. 281 2 Stat. 701. 282 “The Charter of Massachusetts Bay—1691,” in Thorpe, Federal and State Constitutions, vol. 3, pp. 1870-1886; M.H. Hoeflich, “The State of Maine,” in Shearer, Uniting States, vol. 2, p. 513-538. 283 “An Act relating to the Separation of the District of Maine from Massachusetts Proper, and forming the same into a Separate and Independent State,” in Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Passed at the Several Sessions of the General Court, Beginning May, 1818 and Ending February, 1822 (Boston: Russell and Gardner, 1822), pp. 248260, at https://archives.lib.state.ma.us/handle/2452/110107. 284 Stephanie Kermes, Creating an American Identity: New England, 1789-1825 (Palgrave Macmillan, 2008), p. 158; Appendix V in Ronald F. Banks, Maine Becomes a State: The Movement to Separate Maine from Massachusetts, 17851820 (Wesleyan University Press, 1970). Congressional Research Service 39 Admission of States to the Union: A Historical Reference Guide • • • • • • • October 11-29, 1819: Delegates gather in Portland to write a new Maine constitution.285 December 6, 1819: Maine voters ratify the new state constitution by 9,040 to 796.286 December 21, 1819: Representative John Holmes of Massachusetts reports, from a select committee, a bill to admit Maine as a state.287 January 3, 1820: House passes an amended version of the Maine statehood bill without a recorded vote.288 February 18, 1820: Senate amends and passes the Maine statehood bill without a recorded vote on final passage.289 March 3, 1820: House and Senate agree to a compromise version of the Maine statehood bill, which is then passed by the House and Senate without recorded votes.290 President James Monroe signs the bill, which will take effect on March 15, 1820.291 March 15, 1820: Maine becomes the 23rd state. Its admission is paired with the admission of Missouri as a slave state as part of the Missouri Compromise.292 Maryland • June 20, 1632: King Charles I grants the charter for the colony of Maryland to Cecil Calvert.293 Maryland: Seventh State Maryland ratified Constitution April 28, 1788 • July 4, 1776: Maryland joins 12 other colonies in declaring independence from Great Britain.294 • March 1, 1781: Maryland signs and ratifies the Articles of Confederation.295 285 Journal of the Constitutional Convention of the District of Maine: With the Articles of Separation, and Governor Brooks’ Proclamation, Prefixed (Augusta, ME: Fuller & Fuller, 1856). 286 Maine State Legislature, Amendments to the Maine Constitution, 1820-Present, November 2021, at https://www.maine.gov/legis/lawlib/lldl/constitutionalamendments; Journal of the Constitutional Convention of the District of Maine, p. 98. This is the tally for votes “legally and seasonably returned.” 287 House Journal, 16th Cong., 1st sess. (December 21, 1819), p. 60; Annals of Congress, vol. 35, 16th Cong., 1st sess. (December 21, 1819), p. 749. 288 House Journal, 16th Cong., 1st sess. (January 3, 1820), p. 99; Annals of Congress, vol. 35, 16th Cong., 1st sess. (January 3, 1820), p. 849. 289 Senate Journal, 16th Cong., 1st sess. (February 18, 1820), pp. 169-170; Annals of Congress, vol. 35, 16th Cong., 1st sess. [Text truncated at 120,000 characters. The full text is on the page linked above.] --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/crs%3AR47747. Public record. Not legal advice.