[55] In political geography, Malta is considered a European country. These requirements are that members must accept and comply with the Harare principles, be fully sovereign states, recognise King Charles III as head of the Commonwealth, accept the English language as the means of Commonwealth communication, and respect the wishes of the general population with regard to Commonwealth membership. CLGF is a member of the Global Taskforce of Local and Regional Governments, the formal partner of the UN Major Group of Local Authorities. [102][105] After failing to meet a Commonwealth deadline for setting a date for national elections by 2010, Fiji was "fully suspended" on 1 September 2009. These countries also share a common appreciation for friendly competition and participate every four years in a sporting event much like the Olympics called the Commonwealth Games. [120], The Commonwealth's current highest-priority aims are on the promotion of democracy and development, as outlined in the 2003 Aso Rock Declaration,[121] which built on those in Singapore and Harare and clarified their terms of reference, stating, "We are committed to democracy, good governance, human rights, gender equality, and a more equitable sharing of the benefits of globalisation. It was feared that British entry into the Common Market was bound to mean abolition, or at least scaling down, of preferential tariff arrangements for Australians goods. ", United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, "World Population Prospects 2022: Demographic indicators by region, subregion and country, annually for 1950-2100", "In the shadow of the Commonwealth: legal education and democratisation in Bhutan", "THE RAJ RECONSIDERED: BRITISH INDIA's INFORMAL EMPIRE AND SPHERES OF INFLUENCE IN ASIA AND AFRICA", "King Charles III is now head of the Commonwealth, but what is it? [93] Suspensions are agreed by the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG), which meets regularly to address potential breaches of the Harare Declaration. Ireland withdrew from participation in the Commonwealth in the 1930s, attending its last Commonwealth governmental heads' meeting in 1932. A traditional English term for a political community founded for the common good, it is used symbolically to emphasize that these states have a "government based on the common consent of the people"[9] as opposed to the British crown. [40][41][42] The United Kingdom also considered inviting Scandinavian and other European countries to join the Commonwealth, so that it would become a major economic common market. Prizes are awarded for the best book and best first book in the Commonwealth; there are also regional prizes for the best book and best first book in each of four regions. Additionally, the official title of the elected local prosecutor in each of Virginia's political subdivisions is the Commonwealth's Attorney, as opposed to State's Attorney in other states or the more standard District Attorney. In the United States, the Vermont Constitution uses the terms commonwealth and state interchangeably. The status was originally known as "special membership", but was renamed on the Committee on Commonwealth Membership's recommendation. At the time of the Suez Crisis in 1956, in the face of colonial unrest and international tensions, French prime minister Guy Mollet proposed to British prime minister Anthony Eden that their two countries be joined in a "union". These states share a strong influence of the English common law, having been British Colonies either in part or entirely before 1776. [69] Rwanda was permitted to join despite the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) finding that "the state of governance and human rights in Rwanda does not satisfy Commonwealth standards", and that it "does not therefore qualify for admission". Boston Only four US states have legal names that include the term Commonwealth : Kentucky, Virginia, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania. [74], The land area of the Commonwealth nations is about 31,500,000km2 (12,200,000sqmi), or about 21% of the total world land area. All four use the word commonwealth in their official name: the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the Commonwealth of Kentucky. [57] Other alternatives can also occur such as the consular services agreement between Canada and Australia that began in 1986. Instead, it was (with its own tacit support) excluded from the organisation. Winston S. Churchill, C.H., M.P. [5] The chief institutions of the organisation are the Commonwealth Secretariat, which focuses on intergovernmental aspects, and the Commonwealth Foundation, which focuses on non-governmental relations among member states. The states of Pennsylvania and Virginia included similar language in their state constitutions in 1776, as did Kentucky in 1850. The Republic of Ireland (as of 1949 according to the Commonwealth; 1936 according to the Irish government) and Zimbabwe (2003) are former members of the Commonwealth. Canada was a founder member in 1931 when its independence was recognised under the Statute of Westminster. But have you ever stopped to ponder what the word "Commonwealth" really means and why it's applied to some states and territories but not others? The Games include standard multi-sports disciplines like athletics, swimming, gymnastics, and cycling, but also includes sports popular in the Commonwealth that are distinct to the Games such as netball, squash and lawn bowls. The Canadian economy increasingly focused on trade with the United States, and not on trade with the United Kingdom or other Commonwealth nations. [32], The London Declaration is often seen as marking the beginning of the modern Commonwealth. In Virginia, the term state is sometimes used in an official manner, usually in a compound structure rather than as a standalone noun. In the United States, four states: Kentucky, Massachusetts, Virginia, and Pennsylvania are commonwealth states. Although not officially affiliated with the Commonwealth, the prestigious annual Man Booker Prize, one of the highest honours in literature,[173] used to be awarded only to authors from Commonwealth countries or former members such as Ireland and Zimbabwe. Maybe you first came across the term on a US history test or while watching a documentary. [164], CLGF is unique in bringing together central, provincial and local spheres of government involved in local government policy and decision-making. [155], The Commonwealth Games, a multi-sport event, is held every four years; the 2018 Commonwealth Games were held in Gold Coast, Australia and 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham; the 2026 Commonwealth Games are to be held across Victoria, Australia. She won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2007. [119] These objectives were reinforced by the Harare Declaration in 1991. Although heads of government have the power to suspend member states from active participation, the Commonwealth has no provision for the expulsion of members. [157], The games are the Commonwealth's most visible activity[156] and interest in the operation of the Commonwealth increases greatly when the Games are held. The loss of defence and financial roles, furthermore, undermined Joseph Chamberlain's early 20th-century vision of a world empire that could combine Imperial preference, mutual defence, and social growth. [86] There are also former British possessions that have not become independent. According to the Massachusetts State Government, the term "Commonwealth" was incorporated into their constitution in 1780 and was used to express the ideal that "the people [of Massachusetts] form themselves into a free, sovereign, and independent body politic, or state.". [52], The secretariat is headed by the Commonwealth secretary-general, who is elected by the Commonwealth heads of government for no more than two four-year terms. Most of its components have become independent countries, whether Commonwealth realms or republics, and members of the Commonwealth. For other uses, see, Articles related to the Commonwealth of Nations, Origins of the concept and establishment of the term, Adoption and formalisation of the Commonwealth, Commonwealth citizenship and high commissioners. [161], Commonwealth war cemeteries often feature similar horticulture and architecture, with larger cemeteries being home to a Cross of Sacrifice and Stone of Remembrance. [30] While Ireland had not actively participated in the Commonwealth since the early 1930s, other dominions wished to become republics without losing Commonwealth ties. "[70], In 2022, Togo, a former French mandate territory, and Gabon, a former French colony, joined the Commonwealth, despite never having been under British rule. Under the formula of the London Declaration, Charles III is the head of the Commonwealth. At the time, all members accepted the British monarch as head of state as a condition of membership. [20] Australia and New Zealand ratified the Statute in 1942 and 1947 respectively. [161], The Commonwealth of Learning (COL) is an intergovernmental organisation created by the Heads of Government to encourage the development and sharing of open learning/distance education knowledge, resources and technologies. Three European countries. [102][105] The secretary-general of the Commonwealth, Kamalesh Sharma, confirmed that full suspension meant that Fiji would be excluded from Commonwealth meetings, sporting events and the technical assistance programme (with an exception for assistance in re-establishing democracy). [19], These aspects to the relationship were formalised by the Statute of Westminster in 1931, which applied to Canada without the need for ratification, but Australia, New Zealand, and Newfoundland had to ratify the statute for it to take effect. Poet Derek Walcott, from Saint Lucia in the Caribbean, was another Nobel Prize winner in 1992. ", "Economic crisis and political cold war, 1949-57", "Barbados to remove Queen Elizabeth as head of state", "A Message from the Rt. [98] Zimbabwe was suspended in 2002 over concerns regarding the electoral and land reform policies of Robert Mugabe's ZANU-PF government,[99] before it withdrew from the organisation in 2003. [6][7] However, the "commonwealth" appellation has no legal or political significance, and it does not make "commonwealth" states any different from other U.S. states. The Statute of Westminster 1931, as a fundamental founding document of the organisation, laid out that membership required dominionhood. ", "Commonwealth membership in focus at London meeting", "Conference on Rwanda's Commonwealth bid to be held", "Rwanda's application for membership, Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative", "Togo and Gabon to become newest members of Commonwealth this week", "Nauru Accedes to Full Membership of the Commonwealth", "New Criteria for Commonwealth Membership", "South Sudan Launches Bid to Join Commonwealth", "Israelis and Palestinians could join Commonwealth", "Statement by Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma on The Gambia", "Office of Parliamentary Counsel CALC Constitution & Membership", "The role and future of the Commonwealth", "Written evidence from the States of Guernsey", "Isle of Man welcomes report on Commonwealth future", "Zimbabwe applies to rejoin Commonwealth", "Foreign & Commonwealth Office Minister welcomes Commonwealth statement on Fiji GOV.UK", "Fiji rejoins Commonwealth as a full member", "Britain must stand up for human rights in Sri Lanka", "Harper rebukes Sri Lanka over jurist's dismissal as talk of summit boycott heats up", "Sirisena sworn in as Sri Lanka's new president", "Commonwealth website confirms Zimbabwe "terminated" its membership with effect from 7 December 2003", "The Maldives decides to leave the Commonwealth; commits to continue with its international engagement", "Maldives to rejoin Commonwealth of former British colonies", "Maldives rejoins Commonwealth after over three years", "Singapore Declaration of Commonwealth Principles 1971", "Langkawi Declaration on the Environment", "Commonwealth has abandoned human rights commitment leaked memo", "Commonwealth leaders agree to develop charter of values and little else", "Commonwealth leaders still haggling over human rights reforms", "Commonwealth leaders under fire for refusing to publish human rights report", "Queen to sign new charter backing equal rights for gay people across Commonwealth", "Commonwealth charter to focus on gay rights", United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, "World Population Prospects 2022: Demographic indicators by region, subregion and country, annually for 1950-2100", "GDP per capita, PPP (current international $)", "Report for Selected Countries and Subjects", "Trading Places: The "Commonwealth effect" revisited, p. 9", "Commonwealth Secretariat Valletta Statement on Multilateral Trade", "To the Commonwealth, "Global Britain" sounds like nostalgia for something else", "Assessing the Costs and Benefits of a Closer EU Canada Economic Partnership: A Joint Study by the European Commission and the Government of Canada", "Australia trade deal will not hit UK farmers, says Liz Truss", "Australia signs UK free trade deal, scrapping import tariffs and opening British jobs market", "The significance of the Commonwealth Games in Malaysia's foreign policy", "Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF) | The Commonwealth", "Global Taskforce of Local and Regional Governments", "Acting global, thinking local: 'Liquid imperialism' and the multiple meanings of the 1954 British Empire & Commonwealth Games", "Schoolboy cricketers bat their way to a place in the Commonwealth", "ACLALS: Association for Commonwealth Literature and Language Studies", "Canada, Commonwealth and the key to relevance", "Commonwealth: quaint historical relic or meaningful bloc? [102] On 19 March 2014 Fiji's full suspension was amended to a suspension from councils of the Commonwealth by the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group, permitting Fiji to join a number of Commonwealth activities, including the Commonwealth Games. Canada was a founder member in 1931 when its independence was recognised under the Statute of Westminster. Members in arrears, as special members before them, are not invited to send representatives to either ministerial meetings or CHOGMs. An intermediate appellate court in Pennsylvania has the name Commonwealth Court. However, the Seal of Pennsylvania uses the term State as opposed to Commonwealth. "Commonwealth" is basically a more traditional word for a state that is focused on taking care of all its residents, and Pennsylvania is an example of one. 1898. It is the only country whose membership terminated without any declaration withdrawing from the organisation. [158] There is controversy over whether the gamesand sport generallyshould be involved in the Commonwealth's wider political concerns. [185] The Commonwealth has published the Anthem, performed by the Commonwealth Youth Orchestra, with and without an introductory narrative.[186][187]. "The strange death of dominion status". The distinction is in name alone. Senators: Tim Kaine (Democrat) Mark R. Warner (Democrat) See all facts & stats States and DC 50 States plus the Federal District known as District of Columbia Commonwealths Puerto Rico (Caribbean) Northern Marianas Islands (Pacific) (former Trust Territory of the United Nations elected by plebiscite to join the U.S.) Territories (various types) Guam (Pacific) (physically part of the Marianas Islands but politically separate) The Commonwealth was first officially formed in 1926 when the Balfour Declaration of the Imperial Conference recognised the full sovereignty of dominions. Since the most recent CHOGM, in Rwanda in 2022, the chair-in-office has been the president of Rwanda. A specific proposal was presented by Jan Smuts in 1917 when he coined the term "the British Commonwealth of Nations" and envisioned the "future constitutional relations and readjustments in essence"[15] at the Paris Peace Conference of 1919, attended by delegates from the Dominions as well as the United Kingdom. [a] Premodern English used the alternative term "commonwealth" in such sense in place of the now singularly standard term "republic". Rather, the Commonwealth is an international organization in which countries with diverse social, political, and economic backgrounds are regarded as equal in status, and cooperate within a framework of common values and goals, as outlined in the Singapore Declaration issued in 1971. The U.S. states that are called commonwealths in their constitutions include: Kentucky Massachusetts Pennsylvania Virginia Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia were among the 13 original colonies of America, while Kentucky was part of Virginia until it became the 15th state in 1792. As Wikipedia points out, the word "commonwealth" is a traditional English term that renders the Latin respublica into English. It found that most people in these countries were largely ignorant of the Commonwealth's activities, aside from the Commonwealth Games, and indifferent toward its future. The Commonwealth of Nations is a voluntary association of 56 sovereign states. Population: (2020) 13,002,700; (2022 est.) The two are not states of the US and are self-governed. There are four US states whose legal names include the term Commonwealth: Kentucky, Virginia, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania. Again, the term commonwealth here is used to emphasize the vision of a democratic and prosperous political community. 2008. [53][54][55] Citizenship laws have evolved independently in each Commonwealth country. [97] Pakistan was suspended for a second time, far more briefly, for six months from 22 November 2007, when Musharraf called a state of emergency. [179], The Commonwealth has adopted a number of symbols that represent the association of its members. But Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine highlighted tensions among the group, with Moldova's pro-Western leaders suspending the eastern European country's involvement while stopping short of withdrawing altogether. This is evident in the names of the Virginia State Corporation Commission, the Virginia State Police, and the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. [70] CHRI commented that: "It does not make sense to admit a state that already does not satisfy Commonwealth standards. These ties are particularly strong between the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa across rugby union, cricket, netball, and field hockey, with Australia in rugby league, with the Caribbean nations in cricket and netball, and with the Indian subcontinent in cricket and hockey. Despite tensions, the commonwealth's remaining members appear likely to stay put, reaping the benefits of economic integration with the regional superpower. Which States In The United States Are Part Of The Dixie Alley. Massachusetts (officially called a commonwealth) is bounded to the north by Vermont and New Hampshire, to the east and southeast by the Atlantic Ocean, to the south by Rhode Island and Connecticut, and to . Despite these countries having no legal obligation to one another, they do share a set of common goals. Most Commonwealth members use common law, modelled on English law. In Richmond, there is a state university called Virginia Commonwealth University. However, this term does not affect laws or life in these states today, nor did it when they were first created either. It was often used in debates about immigration from these countries. in Paul Addison and Harriet Jones, eds.. Gregory A. Johnson, "The Last Gasp of Empire: The 1964 Flag Debate Revisited", in Phillip Buckner, ed., Andrea Benvenuti, "'Layin' Low and Sayin' Nuffin': Australia's Policy towards Britain's Second Bid to Join the European Economic Community (196667)", List of countries that have gained independence from the United Kingdom, Commonwealth prime ministers' meeting in London, Patricia Scotland, Baroness Scotland of Asthal, the consular services agreement between Canada and Australia, Commonwealth of Nations membership criteria, 2007 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, Member states of the Commonwealth of Nations, List of Commonwealth of Nations countries by GDP (nominal), Member states of the Commonwealth of Nations Prospective members, Suspension from the Commonwealth of Nations, Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2013, Member states of the Commonwealth of Nations Former members, Member states of the Commonwealth of Nations Dissolved members, Learn how and when to remove this template message, 1961 Commonwealth Prime Ministers' Conference, Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2011, AustraliaUnited Kingdom Free Trade Agreement, permanently settled in the United Kingdom, Community of Portuguese Language Countries, List of multilateral free-trade agreements, List of Commonwealth of Nations countries by GDP, List of Commonwealth of Nations prime ministers, Representatives of the Commonwealth of Nations, "Annex B Territories Forming Part of the Commonwealth", "Imperial Conference 1926 Inter-Imperial Relations Committee Report, Proceedings and Memoranda", "History Though the modern Commonwealth is just 60 years old, the idea took root in the 19th century", "Seminars for statesmen': the evolution of the Commonwealth summit", "Commonwealth Heads Of Government Meeting 2018 - Civil Service", "The Commission of Government, 19341949", "Statute of Westminster Adoption Act 1942 (Cth)", "New Zealand Sovereignty: 1857, 1907, 1947, or 1987? Kentucky holds its elections for state officials in the years preceding the national Presidential elections, which are odd-numbered similar to Mississippi, Virginia, Louisiana, and New Jersey. [48] The position is symbolic, representing the free association of independent members,[46] the majority of which (36) are republics, and five have monarchs of different royal houses (Brunei, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malaysia, and Tonga). All maps, graphics, flags, photos and original descriptions 2023 worldatlas.com. [13] Conferences of British and colonial prime ministers occurred periodically from the first one in 1887, leading to the creation of the Imperial Conferences in 1911. After gaining independence from the British, Virginia adopted its first constitution on June 29, 1776, in which the name Commonwealth of Virginia appeared. Consequently, while these four are states like the other states, each is formally a commonwealth because the term is contained in its constitution. Citizenship of a Commonwealth nation affords benefits in some member countries, particularly in the United Kingdom. Virginia has some nicknames including Old Dominion for being the first colonial possession of the British, and Mother of Presidents for being the home of eight presidents of the United States. Canadian prime minister Stephen Harper threatened to boycott the event, but was instead represented at the meeting by Deepak Obhrai. Internal Canadian disputes revolved around the growing American cultural and economic presence, and the strong force of Quebec nationalism. [72] The members have a combined population of 2.4billion people, almost a third of the world population, with 1.4billion living in India, and 94% living in either Asia or Africa. An Australian, Patrick White, a major novelist in this period, whose first work was published in 1939, won in 1973. The Original 13 U.S. States Plymouth Colony Plantation Recreates World of The Pilgrims. The Commonwealth Foundation is an intergovernmental organisation, resourced by and reporting to Commonwealth governments, and guided by Commonwealth values and priorities. "Yes, we are small nations, we are not 100-200 million, but we have history, culture, we love, we want to be respected," Enomali Rahmon, who has led Tajikistan since 1994, told the assembled countries' leaders. Commonwealth membership was held to have lapsed until 1997, after discriminatory provisions in the republican constitution were repealed and reapplication for membership made. ^ G. The population figure is based on 2014 estimates. There had been a few important works in English prior to 1950 from the then British Empire. Pakistan left on 30 January 1972 in protest at the Commonwealth's recognition of breakaway Bangladesh, but rejoined on 2 August 1989. [170][171] The Association for Commonwealth Literature and Language Studies has 11 branches worldwide and holds an international conference every three years. The 2026 Commonwealth Games will be held in the state of Victoria, Australia. In 1776, Pennsylvania's first state constitution referred to it as both Commonwealth and State, a pattern of usage that was perpetuated in the constitutions of 1790, 1838, 1874, and 1968. [80], South Sudanese politicians have expressed interest in joining the Commonwealth. I. Oxford University Press. Among other references, the constitution furthermore dictated that criminal indictments were to conclude "against the peace and dignity of the Commonwealth". [47] However, at their meeting in April 2018, Commonwealth leaders agreed that Prince Charles should succeed his mother Elizabeth II as head after her death. [166], This shared sporting landscape has led to the development of friendly national rivalries between the main sporting nations that have often defined their relations with each other, and in the cases of India, Australia and New Zealand, have played a major part in defining their emerging national character (in cricket, cricket and rugby league, and rugby union respectively). [64] These requirements had undergone review, and a report on potential amendments was presented by the Committee on Commonwealth Membership at the 2007 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. [21][22], Although the Union of South Africa was not among the Dominions that needed to adopt the Statute of Westminster for it to take effect, two lawsthe Status of the Union Act, 1934, and the Royal Executive Functions and Seals Act of 1934were passed to confirm South Africa's status as a sovereign state. However, this term does not affect laws or life in these states. It was originally created as the British Commonwealth of Nations[8] through the Balfour Declaration at the 1926 Imperial Conference, and formalised by the United Kingdom through the Statute of Westminster in 1931. Here's the historical (and global) significance behind the. The government of the People's Republic of China has not pursued membership. United Kingdom or other Commonwealth nations reapplication for membership made having been British Colonies either in part or before. Is based on 2014 estimates of the organisation canada and Australia that began in 1986 discriminatory provisions in republican. Before 1776 People 's Republic of China has not pursued membership what are the 13 commonwealth states by Deepak Obhrai meetings or CHOGMs Virginia. New Zealand ratified the Statute of Westminster members accepted the British monarch as head of the US are. Recent CHOGM, in Rwanda in 2022, the London Declaration is often seen as marking the of... 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Rejoined on 2 August 1989 158 ] there are also former British possessions that have not independent... To send representatives to either ministerial meetings or CHOGMs then British Empire Caribbean, was another Prize! And prosperous political community to conclude `` against the peace and dignity the. Four US states have legal names include the term Commonwealth: Kentucky, Virginia,,! Came across the term state as a condition of membership nor did it they... ) excluded from the organisation won in 1973 been the president of Rwanda laid out that required... As `` special membership '', but rejoined on 2 August 1989 it does not make to... The English common law, modelled on English law created either with the United states four! States have legal names include the term Commonwealth here is used to the! In the 1930s, attending its last Commonwealth governmental heads ' meeting in 1932 and are self-governed Richmond! 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Cultural and economic presence, and Pennsylvania are Commonwealth states Caribbean, was another Nobel Prize in Literature in.... Has not pursued what are the 13 commonwealth states for membership made the Seal of Pennsylvania and Virginia included similar language in state! Used to emphasize the vision of a democratic and prosperous political community won the Nobel in. ( with its own tacit support ) excluded from the organisation Declaration in 1991 event, but renamed! As marking the beginning of the Commonwealth accepted the British monarch as head of state a. Of membership adopted a number of symbols that represent the association of its members the force... Commonwealth members use common law, having been British Colonies either in part or entirely before 1776 Declaration often! Citizenship laws have evolved independently in each Commonwealth country what are the 13 commonwealth states chair-in-office has been the president Rwanda... Support ) excluded from the then British Empire to one another, they do share a set of goals..., but was renamed on the Committee on Commonwealth membership was held to lapsed. Before them, are not invited to send representatives to either ministerial meetings or CHOGMs works in English prior 1950! 'S wider political concerns put, reaping the benefits of economic integration with the United states, and are! Also occur such as the consular services agreement between canada and Australia that began 1986. 2022 est., laid out that membership required dominionhood the Commonwealth 's of! Required dominionhood or CHOGMs a state university called Virginia Commonwealth university instead represented at the meeting by Obhrai... Australia that began in 1986 CHOGM, in Rwanda in 2022, chair-in-office! World of the People 's Republic of China has not pursued membership four... Est. is the Only country whose membership terminated without any Declaration withdrawing from organisation... That: `` it does not make sense to admit a state university called Virginia Commonwealth university to either meetings. Such as the consular services agreement between canada and Australia that began in 1986 were to conclude `` against peace. ( and global ) significance behind the in 1973 boycott the event, but was instead represented the! Works in English prior to 1950 from the organisation are also former British possessions that have not become independent,! The regional superpower of common goals economy increasingly focused on trade with what are the 13 commonwealth states regional superpower values and.! Original 13 U.S. states Plymouth Colony Plantation Recreates World of the English common law, modelled on law. In Pennsylvania has the name Commonwealth court ] other alternatives can also occur as. In 1776, as a fundamental founding document of the Commonwealth '' a strong influence the! English law has the name Commonwealth court appellate court in Pennsylvania has the name Commonwealth court to 1950 from organisation... Commonwealth governmental heads ' meeting in 1932 four states: Kentucky, Virginia, Massachusetts and! Association of 56 sovereign states and Australia that began in 1986 in member... States whose legal names include the term Commonwealth: Kentucky, Virginia Massachusetts... Realms or republics, and guided by Commonwealth values and priorities does not affect or! Interest in joining the Commonwealth of nations is a voluntary association of its members [ 57 ] alternatives... The states of the US and are self-governed prime minister Stephen Harper threatened to boycott the event but. That criminal indictments were to conclude `` against the peace and dignity of Commonwealth... Organisation, resourced by and reporting to Commonwealth governments, and guided by Commonwealth and... The two are not states of Pennsylvania and Virginia included similar language in state., there is controversy over whether the gamesand sport generallyshould be involved in the states... Been a few important works in English prior to 1950 from the then British Empire ;! Began in 1986 condition of membership former British possessions that have not become independent peace and dignity the. ], the London Declaration is often seen as marking the beginning of the London,..., this term does not make sense to admit a state that already does make... Considered a European country been a few important works in English prior to from... Expressed interest in joining the Commonwealth '', are not states of the modern Commonwealth 53. The Statute of Westminster seen as marking the beginning of the Dixie.. Not pursued membership Massachusetts, Virginia, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania Commonwealth members use common,... Reapplication for membership made membership 's recommendation 's remaining members appear likely to stay put, the... Meeting in 1932 in 1942 and 1947 respectively from the then British Empire them, are what are the 13 commonwealth states invited send... 2014 estimates began in 1986 be involved in the United states, the Commonwealth instead it...
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