Articles of Confederation Dates to Remember

March 1, 1781

The state of Maryland officially ratifies the Articles of Confederation, and the document is declared "in force." The following day Congress takes the name "The United States in Congress Assembled."

June 20, 1782

The Great Seal of the United States is officially adopted by the Congress of the Confederation.

January 11, 1785

Congress moves to New York City which becomes the temporary capital of the United States of America.

May 8, 1785

Congress passes the Land Ordinance of 1785 that deals with a systematic and orderly procedure to settle the areas of the Northwest Territory.

September 11-14, 1786

A meeting is convened in Annapolis, Maryland, to discuss the economic instability of the country under the Articles of Confederation. Only five states come to the meeting, but there is a call for another meeting to take place in Philadelphia the following year with the express purpose of revising the Articles of Confederation.

September 26, 1786

A rebellion begins in Massachusetts led by Daniel Shays, a former captain in the Revolutionary War. The issue is the unstable economic condition of the farmers in the western part of the state.

February 4, 1787

A militia raised by the state of Massachusetts is instrumental in ending Shays' Rebellion. Although the rebellion is unsuccessful, there is a call in the state to avoid direct taxation, lower court costs, and provide some exemptions to the debt process. The rebellion also alarms the conservative patriots in the country and helps in calling for a stronger federal constitution.

February 21, 1787

Congress gives official approval of the meeting to take place in Philadelphia on May 14, 1787, to revise the Articles of Confederation.