This Day In Founders History – 15 November

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This Day In Founders History – 15 November

On this day in 1777, the Continental Congress approved the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union for ratification by each state. The Articles created a confederation of sovereign states and served as its first constitution. One representative from each state served on the committee to draft the Articles, headed and principally authored by John Dickinson. It wasn’t until March 1, 1781 that the last of the 13 colonies, Maryland, ratified. The Articles of Confederation consist of 13 articles. The first three articles:

Article I: The Stile of this Confederacy shall be “The United States of America.”

Article II: Each state retains its sovereignty, freedom, and independence, and every power, jurisdiction, and right, which is not by this Confederation expressly delegated to the United States, in Congress assembled.

Article III: The said States hereby severally enter into a firm league of friendship with each other, for their common defense, the security of their liberties, and their mutual and general welfare, binding themselves to assist each other, against all force offered to, or attacks made upon them, or any of them, on account of religion, sovereignty, trade, or any other pretense whatever.