The staff here at Fraters Libertas would like to take this opportunity to extend our warmest birthday wishes to the state of Ohio. Happy fifty-third Buckeye State!
That's right, fifty-third:
Under the Northwest Ordinance, any of the states to be formed out of the Northwest Territory would be admitted as a state once the population exceeded 60,000. Although Ohio's population numbered only 45,000 in December 1801, Congress determined that the population was growing rapidly and Ohio could begin the path to statehood with the assumption that it would exceed 60,000 residents by the time it would become a state. On February 19, 1803, President Jefferson signed an act of U.S. Congress that recognized Ohio as the 17th state. The current custom of Congress declaring an official date of statehood did not begin until 1812, with Louisiana's admission. So, on August 7, 1953 (the year of Ohio's 150th anniversary), President Eisenhower signed an act that officially declared March 1, 1803 the date of Ohio's admittance into the Union.
[Grandpa Simpson voice]
I'll be in my cold cold grave before I recognize March 1, 1803.
[/Grandpa Simpson voice]
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