| 21 Oct 1803 |
part of the territory of North America known as Louisiana, legally claimed by France and administered by Spain, is ceded by France to the United States in accordance with a treaty and conventions concluded in Paris by representatives of both nations on 30 Apr 1803, effective upon the exchange of ratifications in Washington, D.C., on 21 Oct 1803 (Martens, 7:706-727; Clercq, 2:59-66; Territorial Papers, 9:81-82) |
| 20 Dec 1803 |
Louisiana is transferred to the United States in accordance with an instrument of transfer signed by commissioners of the governments of France and the United States in New Orleans on 20 Dec 1803 (American State Papers, Foreign Relations, 2:582) |
| 1 Oct 1804 |
Louisiana is divided into two territories—the Territory of Orleans and the District of Louisiana—in accordance with an act passed by the Congress of the United States (Senate on 18 Feb 1804, House of Representatives on 17 Mar 1804), signed into law on 26 Mar 1804, effective on the date (1 Oct 1804) prescribed by Sec. 16 of the said act (Statutes at Large, 2:283-289) [1] |
| 1 Oct 1804 - 29 Apr 1812 |
Territory of Orleans |
| 30 Apr 1812 |
the Constitution or Form of Government of the State of Louisiana, adoped by the Convention of the Territory of Orleans on 22 Jan 1812, is approved, Louisiana is admitted to the United States under the name of the State of Louisiana in accordance with an act passed by the Congress of the United States (Senate on 1 Apr 1812, House of Representatives on 20 Mar 1812), signed into law on 8 Apr 1812, effective on the date (30 Apr 1812) prescribed by Sec. 6 of the said act (Louisiana Convention 1811-1812, p. 15; Statutes at Large, 2:701-704) [2] |
