RATIFICATION DAY

Ratification Day

RATIFICATION DAY

Ratification Day on January 14th recognizes the act that officially ended the American Revolution. The day commemorates the ratification of the Treaty of Paris on January 14, 1784, at the Maryland State House in Annapolis, Maryland, by the Confederation Congress.

#RatificationDay

After the Declaration of Independence was signed, nearly eight years passed before the British and the Americans agreed to a cease-fire. As part of the Treaty of Paris, Great Britain recognized the United States as a sovereign entity.

It is the most enduring premise of the treaty. The treaty also defined boundaries, specifically the Northwest Territory, which included Ohio and the rich prairie land of Indiana and Illinois. The treaty also included Michigan, Wisconsin, and parts of Minnesota w. Several of the nation's founding fathers negotiated the peace treaty, including John Adams, John Jay, and Benjamin Franklin. 

  • The Confederation Congress declared on April 11, 1783,  "the cessation of arms" against Great Britain.
  • Congress approved the preliminary articles of peace on April 15, 1783.
  • The Confederation Congress ratified the Treaty of Paris on January 14, 1784.

HOW TO OBSERVE RATIFICATION DAY

Learn more about the Treaty of Paris.

  • Visit the Maryland State House.
  • Read more about the Treaty of Paris.
  • Visit the Library Congress.
  • Use #RatificationDay to post on social media.

RATIFICATION DAY HISTORY

Ratification Day recognizes the anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Paris. Each year, the State House in Annapolis, Maryland, hosts a ceremony reenacting the signing of the Treaty of Paris. The Old Senate Chamber has been renovated and preserved just as it was at the signing. Every January 14th, the State House also raises a flag the design displayed at the signing of the Treaty of Paris. The flag's design includes twelve stars forming a circle with one star in the center. 

Ratification FAQ

Q. Who negotiated the Treaty of Paris in 1783?
A. American Peace Commissioners Benjamin Franklin, John Jay, and John Adams represented the United States during negotiation. Richard Oswald represented Great Britain. Franklin, Jay, and Adams, and British statesman David Hartley signed the treaty.

Q. How long did negotiations take between Britain and the United States?
A. Peace talks began in April 1782. The Revolutionary War formally ended with the signing of the Treaty of Paris on September 3, 1783. However, the Continental Congress didn't ratify the treaty until January 14, 1784.