Rhode Island was the last of the original thirteen states to ratify the U.S. Constitution before America250’s founding-era anniversary.
Rhode Island ratified the Constitution on May 29, 1790, nearly three years after Delaware became the first state to approve it. The final vote was 34–32, making Rhode Island’s decision notably close.
The Constitution had already taken effect after New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify on June 21, 1788. North Carolina later ratified in November 1789, leaving Rhode Island as the only original state still outside the constitutional union.
Rhode Island’s opposition reflected concerns about federal taxation, paper money, and the absence of a Bill of Rights in the original document. Its eventual ratification completed the sequence of thirteen state approvals.