The United States of America as we know it today was not created all at once; it was a slow and incredibly uneven unity that took shape over the course of 183 years. What started out as 13 distinct colonies with their own economies and histories soon turned into an expansionist dream across the North American continent.
Turning colonies into states, and states into a union, was a major risk. Some states joined eagerly, while others hesitated or rebelled. New lands were purchased, annexed, or claimed; territories waited decades for admission; compromises were struck to maintain balance.
The 50 states as they appear today is a story of unimaginable scale. So, which states joined the Union first? And which were the last? Click through this gallery to find out.