On what date did the Articles of Confederation officially take effect?

The Articles of Confederation officially took effect on March 1, 1781.

Congress had approved the Articles in November 1777 and sent them to the states for ratification. The process lasted more than three years because Maryland withheld approval while other states debated western land claims and the powers of the proposed union.

Maryland ratified the Articles on February 2, 1781, becoming the 13th and final state to do so. Congress was informed of the decision on March 1, which is the date the Articles were proclaimed effective as the nation’s governing framework.

This date is distinct from both the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and the Constitution’s effective date in 1789. Under the Articles, Congress directed the war effort and diplomacy but lacked several powers later granted to the federal government, including broad taxation and commerce authority.