Rhode Island became the 13th and final state to ratify the United States Constitution.
Rhode Island ratified the Constitution on May 29, 1790, nearly three years after the document was signed. Its delay reflected strong local opposition to the proposed federal government and concern about individual liberties and economic regulation.
Article VII required ratification by conventions in only nine states for the Constitution to take effect, so Rhode Island was not required for the new government to begin. New Hampshire supplied the crucial ninth ratification on June 21, 1788.
Rhode Island was also absent from the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, making it the only state that did not send delegates. North Carolina was the 12th state to ratify, doing so in November 1789. Rhode Island's approval completed the original list of 13 states.