The Articles of Confederation

Continental Congress

Jun 11, 1776

The Continental Congress decided a committee should be set up to prepare the articles.

Committee Members

Jun 12, 1776

The committee members were assigned to start working on the draft.

The First Draft

Jul 12, 1776

The first draft of the Articles of Confederation was presented to the Continental Congress. Can you believe it only took a month?!

Adoption of the Articles

Nov 15, 1777

The Continental Congress adopted the articles.

The Articles are Submitted

Nov 17, 1777

The Articles of Confederation are submitted to the rest of the states (of the 13 colonies). The committee hoped for immediate reactions... and good ones, too.

North Carolina

Jul 21, 1778

North Carolina delegates sign the Articles of Confederation.

Georgia

Jul 24, 1778

Georgia delegates sign the articles, as well.

New Jersey

Nov 26, 1778

All delegates from New Jersey also agreed to sign the articles.

Delaware

May 5, 1779

Delaware delegates sign the Articles of Confederation.

Maryland

Mar 1, 1781

Maryland signed the Articles of Confederation. They were the 13th state to sign, and made the articles "passable".

Congress Approval

Feb 21, 1787

Congress approved a plan to hold a meeting for the Articles of Confederation. The meeting would take take place in Philadelphia. This would make the article official.