Statehood

1977 13¢ First Civil Settlement: Alta, California
November 29, 1777

California’s First Civil Settlement 

On November 29, 1777, the first non-military and non-missionary settlement in California was established as El Pueblo de San José de Guadalupe in Alta, California.

Read Article
1991 29¢ District of Columbia
November 3, 1964

Washington, D.C., Residents Vote in Their First Presidential Election

Though the District of Columbia has served as our nation’s capital since 1791, its residents didn’t get to vote in their first presidential election until November 3, 1964.

Read Article
1969 6¢ California Settlement
September 9, 1850

California Admitted to the Union

On September 9, 1850, California became America’s 31st state. The discovery of gold there two years earlier created a population boom that led to the need for a state government.

Read Article
1936 3¢ Oregon Territory Centennial
August 14, 1848

Oregon Territory Established

On August 14, 1848, the Oregon Territory was established. It would be another 11 years before the territory achieved statehood.

Read Article
1987 22¢ Bicentenary Statehood: Delaware
July 4, 1987

Bicentenary Statehood Series

On July 4, 1987, the USPS issued the first in a series of stamps honoring America’s first 13 states.  The series honored each state’s 200th anniversary of statehood as well as the bicentennial of the ratification of the Constitution. 

Read Article
1934 3¢ Maryland Tercentenary
April 28, 1788

Maryland Becomes Seventh U.S. State 

On April 28, 1788, Maryland was the seventh state to ratify the US Constitution, an act that admitted it as America’s seventh state.

Read Article
1987 22¢ Bicentenary Statehood: Georgia
January 2, 1788

Georgia Becomes 4th State 

On January 2, 1788, Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the US Constitution, making it our fourth state.

Read Article
1989 25¢ Montana Statehood
November 8, 1889

Montana Becomes 41st State

On November 8, 1889, Montana was admitted to the Union. The population exploded in the years leading up to after statehood due to the discovery of rich gold, silver, and copper deposits.

Read Article
1989 25¢ North Dakota Statehood
November 2, 1889

North Dakota Admitted to the Union

On November 2, 1889, North Dakota was admitted to the Union as the 39th state.

Read Article

Love history?

Discover events in American history – plus the stamps that make them come alive.

Subscribe to get This Day in History stories straight to your inbox every day!