The Articles Of Confederation Become Law Maryland is the last state to ratify the Articles of Confederation and they become the law of the land.
September 3, 1783: The Treaty Of Paris Is Signed After nearly a year of peace talks, the Treaty of Paris is finally signed, officially granting the US its independence.
May 20, 1785: The Ordinance Of 1785 Is Passed The Ordinance of 1785 establishes the protocol for settlement of western lands.
1786: Chief Joseph Brant Organizes An Alliance Of The Northwest Tribes Chief Joseph Brant allies the tribes of the northwest wilderness in an effort to resist white settlement on Indian lands.
August 1786: Outbreak Of Shays' Rebellion Western Massachusetts farmers, under the pressures of economic depression, organize in an attempt to shut down three county courthouses through violent means. The rebellion is put down, but highlight the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.
September 11 - 14, 1786: The Annapolis Convention Originally planning to discuss the promotion of interstate commerce, delegates from five states meet at Annapolis and end up suggesting a convention to amend the Articles of Confederation.
May 25 - September 27, 1787: The Constitutional Convention Delegates of every state but Rhode Island meet in Philadelphia to discuss the amendment of the Articles of Confederation. Though it was not their original intent they decide to scrap the Articles, and produce the Constitution, laying out a new framework of government.
July 13,1787: The Northwest Ordinance Is Passed The Northwest Ordinance defines the process by which new states could be admitted into the Union from the Northwest Territory.
July 17, 1787: The Connecticut Compromise Is Approved By The Constitutional Convention Ending weeks of stalemate, the Connecticut Compromise reconciles the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan for determining legislative representation in Congress. The Connecticut Compromise establishes equal representation for all states in the Senate and proportional representation by population in the House of Representatives.
September 17, 1787: The Constitution, In Its Final Form, Is Approved By The Constitutional Convention The Constitutional Convention officially endorses the Constitution and sends it to the states for ratification.
June 21, 1788: New Hampshire Becomes The Ninth State To Ratify The Constitution Having been ratified by two-thirds of the states, the Constitution becomes the law of the land.
June 25, 1788: Virginia Ratifies The Constitution Following nearly a year of intense debate, Federalists win out in Virginia, which ratifies the Constitution.
July 26, 1788: New York Ratifies The Constitution Following Virginia's lead, New York ratifies the Constitution. The two states represent the most crucial states to the functioning of the Union; their ratification ensures the success of the Constitution
