Rhode Island waited until 1790 to become the final original colony to join the Union
Rhode Island became the final holdout of the original thirteen colonies in 1790, only joining the United States after the federal government threatened to sever all commercial ties with the tiny state.
Rhode Island was the last of the original Thirteen Colonies to ratify the U.S. Constitution, finally joining the Union on May 29, 1790. The state was deeply suspicious of a strong central government and had previously rejected the Constitution eleven times. They were particularly concerned about the lack of a Bill of Rights and the potential for federal taxes.
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