Oregon Territory Established
On August 14, 1848, the Oregon Territory was established. It would be another 11 years before the territory achieved statehood.
Statehood
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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.
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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.
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Georgia Becomes 4th State
On January 2, 1788, Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the US Constitution, making it our fourth state.
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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.
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North Dakota Admitted to the Union
On November 2, 1889, North Dakota was admitted to the Union as the 39th state.
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West Virgina Votes to Secede from Virginia
On October 24, 1861, the people of West Virginia voted to secede from the Confederate state of Virginia. They would achieve statehood less than tow years later.
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U.S. Takes Possession of Alaska
On October 18, 1867, Alaska became part of America in a move dubbed “Seward’s Folly.”
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Northwest Ordinance Revolutionizes Addition of New States to the Union
The United States passed the Northwest Ordinance on July 13, 1787 to establish a set of steps all future states would have to follow. It was ground breaking at the time and led to the organized and rapid expansion of America.
