What Is the First State in the USA?

Here's how Delaware became the first state in the U.S.:

The Articles of Confederation, the first working constitution of the United States, needed revising so the Constitutional Convention met in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to draft the constitution.
The United States Constitution was adopted on September 17, 1787.
If a state wanted to join the Union, it had to approve the US Constitution.
Delaware was the first to ratify the US Constitution and become a state. This happened on December 7, 1787. Pennsylvania and New Jersey also joined in December of that year.
In 1788, the total number of states rose to 11 with the additions of these states in order of ratification: Georgia, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, South Carolina, New Hampshire, Virginia, and New York.
By May 29, 1790, North Carolina and Rhode Island joined and the original 13 colonies were then states in the United States of America.

Facts About Delaware

History

The colony of Delaware had been claimed by England, Sweden, and Holland before it became a state. Its name comes from Virginia Company’s first governor, Sir Thomas West, or Lord de la Warr.

Nicknames

“The First State” is Delaware’s official nickname, which was picked after a letter was sent by Mrs. Anabelle O'Malley's 1st grade class from Mt. Pleasant Elementary School. It is also called:

The Diamond State, named because Thomas Jefferson compared Delaware to a diamond; small but valuable. He also called it a jewel because of its strategic location.
The Blue Hen State
The Peach State
The Corporate Capital
Small Wonder
New Sweden

People who live in Delaware are called Delawareans.

Symbols

The Delaware state bird is the Blue Hen, the state marine animal is the Horseshoe Crab, and the state fish is the Weakfish. The state flower is the Peach Blossom, the state herb is Sweet Golden Rod, and the state tree is the American Holly. The state bug is the Lady Bug, the state butterfly is the Tiger Swallowtail, the state beverage is milk, and the state dessert is peach pie.

Entrance Dates of All Other States in the USA

Following is a list of the remaining 37 states with the dates of their entrance into the United States:

Vermont - March 4, 1791 Kentucky - June 1, 1792
Tennessee - June 1, 1796 Ohio - March 1, 1803
Louisiana - April 30, 1812 Indiana - December 11, 1816
Mississippi - December 10, 1817 Illinois - December 3, 1818
Alabama - December 14, 1819 Maine - March 15, 1820
Missouri - August 10, 1821 Arkansas - June 15, 1836
Michigan - January 26, 1837 Florida - March 3, 1845
Texas - December 29, 1845 Iowa - December 28, 1846
Wisconsin - May 29, 1848 California - September 9, 1850
Minnesota - May 11, 1858 Oregon - February 14, 1859
Kansas - January 29, 1861 West Virginia - June 20, 1863
Nevada - October 31, 1864 Nebraska - March 1, 1867
North Dakota - Nov. 2, 1889 South Dakota - November 2, 1889
Montana - November 8, 1889 Washington - November 11, 1889
Idaho - July 3, 1890 Wyoming - July 10, 1890
Utah - January 4, 1896 Oklahoma - November 16, 1907
New Mexico - January 6, 1912 Arizona - February 14, 1912
Alaska - January 3, 1959 Hawaii - August 21, 1959

Delaware was the first state in the USA. In 1959 Alaska and Hawaii joined the USA bringing the total states to fifty.