Nine states had to ratify the Constitution before it could take effect, a key founding fact linked to America250.
Article Seven of the Constitution established the ratification rule. It stated that approval by conventions in nine states would be sufficient to establish the Constitution among the states ratifying it. This threshold was three more than a simple majority of the thirteen states.
New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify on June 21, 1788. That approval allowed the Constitution to take effect, although the political process continued as the remaining states considered ratification. Virginia and New York approved the document soon afterward.
The nine-state requirement is often confused with the number thirteen, which refers to the original colonies and states. It is also distinct from the unanimous approval required under the Articles of Confederation for many major decisions. Rhode Island eventually became the thirteenth state to ratify, in 1790.