North Carolina becomes the 12th State

On this day in 1789, North Carolina ratifies the United States Constitution, thereby becoming the twelfth state in the Union.

First, the date of May 20, 1775 on the Great Seal of the State of North Carolina refers to the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence. This debated document was allegedly the first ‘declaration of independence’ adopted during the American Revolution.

So, this is the third resolution from that document:
“Resolved, That we do hereby declare ourselves a free and independent people, are, and of right ought to be, a sovereign and self–governing Association, under the control of no power other than that of our God and the General Government of the Congress; to the maintenance of which independence, we solemnly pledge to each other, our mutual co-operation, our lives, our fortunes, and our most sacred honor.”

Next, the representation of the figure of Liberty, standing, holds a scroll with the word “Constitution” in her right hand.

Appropriately, then, here is the Preamble of the North Carolina State Constitution:

Preamble

We, the people of the State of North Carolina, grateful to Almighty God, the Sovereign Ruler of Nations, for the preservation of the American Union and the existence of our civil, political and religious liberties, and acknowledging our dependence upon Him for the continuance of those blessings to us and our posterity, do, for the more certain security thereof and for the better government of this State, ordain and establish this Constitution.