Delaware ratified the US Constitution on December 7, 1787, thus becoming the first state. The newest states are Alaska and Hawaii, with Alaska being admitted as the 49th state on January 3, 1959. Hawaii followed as the 50th on August 21, 1959.
In the intervening 172 years, 47 additional states were created. Sixteen states formed in the 18th century, 29 in the 19th century, and five in the 20th century.
