1777 - The Articles of Confederation Were Adopted (November 15)

On November 15, 1777, the second Continental Congress adopted the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union. Then they needed approval from the states.

Still at war with Great Britain, the colonists were not eager to establish another powerful national government. Three-and-a-half years passed before the states ratified the Articles.

Eventually replaced by the United States Constitution of 1789, the Articles of Confederation did provide some stability during the Revolutionary War years. Most important, they provided valuable lessons in self-governance and somewhat calmed fears about a powerful central government.