Iowa was the 29th state admitted to the United States. It officially joined the Union on December 28, 1846.
Iowa's Admission to the Union
Iowa's journey to statehood marked a significant chapter in the westward expansion of the United States. Prior to becoming a state, Iowa existed as a territory, gradually developing its infrastructure and population. The process of a territory becoming a state typically involves several key steps:
- Territorial Organization: A region is formally organized as a U.S. territory under federal governance.
- Population Growth: The territory's population grows sufficiently to support a state government.
- Constitutional Convention: Residents draft and approve a state constitution.
- Congressional Approval: The U.S. Congress passes an act admitting the territory as a new state.
Iowa followed this established path, demonstrating the evolving framework for adding new states to the growing nation. Its admission further solidified the contiguous expansion of the young republic.
The Order of State Admissions
Understanding when states joined the Union provides crucial context for the nation's historical development and geographic expansion. Below is a portion of the chronological order of states admitted to the United States, highlighting Iowa's position:
Order | State | Admission Date |
---|---|---|
29. | Iowa | Dec. 28, 1846 |
30. | Wisconsin | May 29, 1848 |
31. | California | Sept. 9, 1850 |
32. | Minnesota | May 11, 1858 |
This sequence illustrates the continuous growth of the U.S. through the mid-19th century. For more detailed information on the admission order of U.S. states, official historical records provide valuable insights.