Nevada's Place in U.S. Statehood Timeline

Under the U.S. Constitution, Congress holds the sole power to admit new states into the Union. Delaware became the first state on December 7, 1787. Pennsylvania followed five days later on December 12, and New Jersey joined on December 18. These early actions laid the foundation for the federal union in the late 1780s.

At the other end of the timeline, Arizona gained statehood on February 14, 1912. Alaska entered as the 49th state on January 3, 1959, and Hawaii became the 50th on August 21, 1959. In the 172 years between Delaware and Hawaii, Congress admitted 47 more states. The largest period of growth came during the 18th and 19th centuries.

Nevada joined the Union as the 36th state on October 31, 1864, in the midst of the Civil War. Formed from the Nevada Territory, which was organized in 1861, its admission strengthened the Union and capitalized on the state’s silver resources.