The Original 13 States That Formed the United States

The United States began as 13 British colonies that declared independence in 1776 and ratified the Constitution by 1790. In order of statehood (ratification):

1. Delaware — Dec 7, 1787
2. Pennsylvania — Dec 12, 1787
3. New Jersey — Dec 18, 1787
4. Georgia — Jan 2, 1788
5. Connecticut — Jan 9, 1788
6. Massachusetts — Feb 6, 1788
7. Maryland — Apr 28, 1788
8. South Carolina — May 23, 1788
9. New Hampshire — Jun 21, 1788 (9th = Constitution effective)
10. Virginia — Jun 25, 1788
11. New York — Jul 26, 1788
12. North Carolina — Nov 21, 1789
13. Rhode Island — May 29, 1790 (last)

Note

Vermont (1791), Kentucky (1792), Tennessee (1796) followed quickly. The "original 13" designation is constitutional, not chronological—all 13 existed as colonies before 1776.