Oregon admitted as the 33rd U.S. state

Background. The Admissions Clause of the Constitution authorizes Congress to admit new states beyond the original thirteen. Congress adopted a policy of equal status for newly admitted states, formalizing this condition in acts of admission. This framework governed the admission of states formed from organized territories, including Oregon.

Admission. Oregon was admitted to the United States on February 14, 1859, becoming the 33rd state. The territory, organized in 1848, maintained a territorial government until this date. Although the admission occurred on February 14, residents in Oregon did not learn of the event until March 15.

Slavery Context. Slavery played a major part in Oregon's history and influenced its path to statehood. The territory's request for statehood was delayed several times as Congress debated whether to admit it as a free or slave state. Southern politicians eventually agreed to admit Oregon as a free state in exchange for opening slavery to the Southwestern U.S.