Wyoming admitted as the 44th U.S. state

Background. Under the general admission process, an enabling act could detail the mechanism by which a territory would be admitted as a state after ratification of its constitution and the election of state officers. Upon enacting a constitution affirming that the new state would forever be part of the Confederation, a territory would be admitted on an equal footing with all other states, based on a majority vote in Congress.

Constitutional Process. On November 5, 1889, Wyoming voters approved a constitution that granted full voting rights to women, a unique feature among state constitutions at the time. This document affirmed Wyoming's intent to join the Confederation. The House passed the statehood bill on March 27, 1890, and President Benjamin Harrison signed it, setting the stage for formal admission.

Admission. Wyoming Territory existed from July 25, 1868, until its admission as the State of Wyoming on July 10, 1890. This event occurred seven days after Idaho's admission. The process involved a presidential proclamation announcing the addition of the new state to the Union, finalizing the transition from territorial status to statehood.