How and when did Rhode Island become a state?

Rhode Island officially became a state on May 29, 1790, after two separate conventions were held to vote on the matter. Prior to this, the Rhode Island General Assembly had rejected 11 attempts from mercantile communities to hold a ratification convention.

Prior to 1790, the Rhode Island General Assembly held a popular referendum to determine statehood, in spite of instructions from the Founding Fathers to do otherwise. The referendum voted against Rhode Island joining the United States, 2,708 to 237. After years of political pressure, Rhode Island then became the last of the original colonies to join the United States with a vote of 34 in favor, 32 opposed and four absent or abstained.