Birth of the Nation, November 5, 1781

When Does a Nation Become a Nation?

By law and custom, not until it has a government and a head of state

Announcement by
the first government 

of Hanson’s election

  •     Articles of Confederation sets "first Monday in November" as  launch date of the new government
  •    Delegates to new government convene in Philadelphia on November 5, 1781
  •     As first act, delegates elect Maryland Delegate John Hanson as president and head of state. There were no other candidates. 
  •     With a government and head of state, the United States now comes into being as a unified nation
  •     The government legislates the title "President of the United States of America" for the new nation's presidents
  •     The first government becomes known colloquially as "The Confederation Congress" causing much confusion today with the earlier non-government Continental Congresses