When the States Became States

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Similar to the ancient city of Rome, the United States didn’t emerge overnight. It took a staggering 172 years for all 50 states to be woven into the fabric of the Union. This Wednesday marks the 60th anniversary of Hawaii’s statehood, making it the final puzzle piece added to the U.S. mosaic on August 21, 1959.

The genesis of the Union began with the 13 colonies, which laid the groundwork by drafting and ratifying the United States Constitution. These colonies evolved into the inaugural 13 states of the U.S.: Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, New Hampshire, New York, and Rhode Island. This pivotal process unfolded from 1787 to 1790.

Following this foundational period, Vermont blazed the trail by joining in 1791, followed swiftly by Kentucky and Tennessee before the dawn of the 19th century. By the halfway mark of the 19th century, the U.S. boasted 31 states, with California’s inclusion in 1850 marking a significant milestone. By 1900, the Union had expanded to encompass 45 states, with Utah’s incorporation in 1896 marking the final addition of the century. The contiguous 48 states were finally completed with the addition of Oklahoma, Arizona, and New Mexico in 1912. However, it wasn’t until 1959 that Alaska and Hawaii attained statehood.

The road to statehood wasn’t without its challenges. Alaska faced initial resistance from Congress because of concerns over the potential impact of the exploitation of its abundant natural resources. Similarly, Hawaii, which had been a territory since 1900 following annexation, encountered hurdles due to the perceived efficiency of plantation businesses operating outside of state regulations.

The map below of the United States indicates the years when various states joined the Union.

Presently, the United States still retains sovereignty over five inhabited overseas territories, including Guam, American Samoa, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and the Mariana Islands. Puerto Rico, in particular, has grappled with the question of statehood, with multiple referendums reflecting a divided populace. While statehood promises enhanced access to federal resources, such as healthcare and funding, it also entails federal taxation, posing a significant consideration for Puerto Ricans. Moreover, statehood could potentially alleviate the island’s staggering debt burden, exceeding $100 billion, by enabling municipal and governmental entities to seek bankruptcy protection, thereby restructuring their financial obligations.