South Carolina became the eighth state to join the United States on May 23, 1788, when it ratified the U.S. Constitution. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, it had separated from North Carolina in 1712 and later declared independence from British rule in 1776. South Carolina played a significant role in the founding of the nation, contributing to the Revolutionary War effort and helping to shape early American politics. Its admission as a state marked a critical step in the formation of the United States under the new federal system.
