How Old is the United States – as of 2024

Historians often label the United States as a young country because of its relatively brief history and its colonial ties to Britain before the Revolutionary War. But the question still persists – “How old is the United States”, “how old is America”. Are both the questions different?

How Old is the USA?

When we talk about when the United States officially became its own country, it goes back to the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4, 1776. So, if we start counting from the declaration, the United States of America will turn 248 years old on July 4, 2024.

Other significant dates that can be considered in determining the age of the United States include:

1. May 14, 1607 – Jamestown Settlement

   The story of the United States began in Jamestown in 1607, which was the first place where English people settled in North America. When the colonists decided to stay there, they didn’t know it yet, but they were starting something important – like planting a new country. If we count the years from that time to 2024, the United States would be 417 years old.

2. November 11, 1620 – Mayflower Compact

   In 1620, a group of people called Pilgrims wrote down some rules known as the Mayflower Compact. They did this because they wanted to have the freedom to practice their religion. These rules helped them work together and make decisions, kind of like the first set of instructions for how to live. If we count the years from that time to 2024, the United States would be 404 years old, starting from when these rules were first made.

3. Articles of Confederation (Ratified in 1781)

   The adoption of the Articles of Confederation in 1781 was an early attempt at forming a union. Considering this date, the U.S. would be 243 years old in 2024.

4. September 3, 1783 – Treaty of Paris

   The Treaty of Paris in 1783 formally ended the American Revolutionary War. The treaty made it clear that the United States was now its own country. If we start counting the years from this to 2024, the United States would be 241 years old.

5. February 21, 1787 – The Northwest Ordinance

   The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 helped in planning out how new areas should be set up and governed. It also prohibited slavery in the Northwest Territory. If we start counting the years from when these rules were made to 2024, the United States would be 237 years old.

6. March 4, 1789 – First U.S. Congress Convenes

   The inauguration of the first U.S. Congress on March 4, 1789, marked the official implementation of the newly adopted Constitution. By 2024, counting from this, the United States would be 235 years old.

7. November 21, 1789 – Establishment of the Bill of Rights

   With the ratification of the Bill of Rights in 1789, everyone in the United States had certain freedoms and rights. If we start counting the years from this moment to 2024, the United States would be 235 years old.

8. August 18, 1920 – 19th Amendment Ratified

   The ratification of the 19th Amendment in 1920, granted women the right to vote, which meant they could have a say in important decisions. Counting from this milestone, the United States would be 104 years old in 2024.

How Old is America

When we talk about “America,” we’re not just talking about the official start of the United States. We’re looking at a much bigger picture that goes way back in time. Humans migrated to the Americas across the Bering land bridge at least 12,000 years ago, meaning there has been human presence for millennia. Even before that, the continent has an even longer geological history dating back hundreds of millions of years. Therefore, there’s no single answer to how old “America” is.

What is the First State of the United States

Delaware was the first state to ratify the United States Constitution on December 7, 1787. This was an important decision because it showed other states that it was a good idea to agree to these rules. It helped bring all the states together under a shared system of government. The dates of other states to ratify the US Constitution are:

1. Delaware – December 7, 1787
2. Pennsylvania – December 12, 1787
3. New Jersey – December 18, 1787
4. Georgia – January 2, 1788
5. Connecticut – January 9, 1788
6. Massachusetts – February 6, 1788
7. Maryland – April 28, 1788
8. South Carolina – May 23, 1788
9. New Hampshire – June 21, 1788
10. Virginia – June 25, 1788
11. New York – July 26, 1788
12. North Carolina – November 21, 1789
13. Rhode Island – May 29, 1790
14. Vermont – March 4, 1791
15. Kentucky – June 1, 1792
16. Tennessee – June 1, 1796
17. Ohio – March 1, 1803
18. Louisiana – April 30, 1812
19. Indiana – December 11, 1816
20. Mississippi – December 10, 1817
21. Illinois – December 3, 1818
22. Alabama – December 14, 1819
23. Maine – March 15, 1820
24. Missouri – August 10, 1821
25. Arkansas – June 15, 1836
26. Michigan – January 26, 1837
27. Florida – March 3, 1845
28. Texas – December 29, 1845
29. Iowa – December 28, 1846
30. Wisconsin – May 29, 1848
31. California – September 9, 1850
32. Minnesota – May 11, 1858
33. Oregon – February 14, 1859
34. Kansas – January 29, 1861
35. West Virginia – June 20, 1863
36. Nevada – October 31, 1864
37. Nebraska – March 1, 1867
38. Colorado – August 1, 1876
39. North Dakota – November 2, 1889
40. South Dakota – November 2, 1889
41. Montana – November 8, 1889
42. Washington – November 11, 1889
43. Idaho – July 3, 1890
44. Wyoming – July 10, 1890
45. Utah – January 4, 1896
46. Oklahoma – November 16, 1907
47. New Mexico – January 6, 1912
48. Arizona – February 14, 1912
49. Alaska – January 3, 1959
50. Hawaii – August 21, 1959

If you are interested in exploring more about these states, check out our: US State Map. You can see all the 50 states and click on any state to see its own map.

Related Links:

• Founding Fathers of USA
• What are the 13 Original Colonies?
• Key Facts of the United States
• Why is the 4th of July Independence Day in the US?