Rhode Island was the last of the original U.S. states to ratify the Constitution, a later founding milestone linked to America250.
Rhode Island approved the Constitution on May 29, 1790, by a narrow convention vote of 34 to 32. By then, the Constitution had already taken effect because New Hampshire had become the ninth ratifying state in June 1788.
Rhode Island’s delay reflected strong local resistance to a stronger national government. The state had declined to send delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia and initially rejected calls to hold a ratifying convention. Economic pressure and the prospect of remaining outside the federal Union eventually helped change the debate.
North Carolina was also late, ratifying in November 1789, but it acted before Rhode Island. The two states are often grouped together because both initially withheld approval, yet Rhode Island holds the specific distinction of being the final original state to ratify.