Delaware was the first state to ratify the U.S. Constitution, a milestone in the nation’s story before America250.
Delaware’s ratifying convention approved the Constitution on December 7, 1787. Its vote was unanimous, 30–0, making Delaware the first of the 13 states to accept the proposed framework of government. This early ratification later gave the state its nickname, “The First State.”
Article Seven required approval from nine states for the Constitution to take effect. Pennsylvania ratified five days after Delaware, followed by New Jersey and Georgia. New Hampshire became the ninth state in June 1788, bringing the Constitution into operation even though four states had not yet ratified.
Delaware’s constitutional ratification should not be confused with the Declaration of Independence. Delaware was one of the original 13 colonies and supported independence in 1776, but its “first” nickname specifically refers to being first to ratify the Constitution.