Delaware was the first colony-turned-state to ratify the United States Constitution.
Delaware's convention unanimously approved the Constitution on December 7, 1787. Because it acted first, Delaware later became known as “The First State,” a nickname reflected on its state quarter and official identity.
The Constitution required ratification by conventions in nine states before it could take effect among the ratifying states. New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify, but Delaware's earlier action gave it the distinction of being first.
Pennsylvania was the second state to ratify, while New Jersey was third. Ratification order is not the same as the order in which colonies declared independence in 1776, and the two lists are often confused.