Eight states ratify Articles of Confederation

Eight states ratify Articles of Confederation

July 9, 2009 03:00:00 am

On July 9, 1778, eight states – New Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and South Carolina – signed and ratified the Articles of Confederation, the first American constitution.

The Articles took formal effect after ratification by Maryland on March 1, 1781.

THIS DAY @ LAW

India constitution ratified

On January 26, 1950, India ratified its constitution, formally making the new country a republic. On the same day, Rajendra Prasad was inaugurated as the republic's first president. The anniversary is celebrated today as Republic Day in India.

Tennessee became first state to ban alcohol sales

On January 26, 1838, Tennessee became the first US state to pass a law prohibiting the general sale of alcohol; fines paid by lawbreakers were put towards the support of public schools. Read more about the history of Prohibition.