Jonah Patel
The United States Constitution, composed of a preamble, seven articles, and 27 amendments, was signed by 39 delegates on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The signing ceremony marked the endorsement of the Constitution by delegates representing 12 states, with Rhode Island being the only state that did not send a delegation. The signatories included George Clymer, Benjamin Franklin, Robert Morris, George Read, Roger Sherman, and James Wilson, who also signed the Declaration of Independence. Notably, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, future presidents, were absent during the signing as they were serving as ministers overseas.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | September 17, 1787 |
| Location | Independence Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Number of Signatories | 39 delegates and the convention secretary, William Jackson |
| Youngest Signer | Jonathan Dayton, age 26 |
| Oldest Signer | Benjamin Franklin, age 81 |
| States Represented | 12 of the 13 states (all except Rhode Island) |
| Number of Delegates Attending | 55 out of 74 |
| Number of Refusals to Sign | 3 (Elbridge Gerry, George Mason, and Edmund Randolph) |
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What You'll Learn
- The US Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- delegates signed the US Constitution, including George Washington
- Thomas Jefferson and John Adams did not sign the Constitution
- Benjamin Franklin was the oldest signer at 81, and Jonathan Dayton was the youngest at 26
- The US Constitution established the office of the President of the United States
The US Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The Constitutional Convention was attended by 55 delegates, though 13 dropped out, and three of the 42 who remained refused to sign the final draft. The names of 39 delegates are inscribed upon the proposed constitution, including John Dickinson, who was ill and authorized George Read to sign on his behalf. The convention's secretary, William Jackson, also signed the document to authenticate some corrections.
The US Constitution lays out the framework for the nation's federal government and delineates how its three branches—the legislative, executive, and judicial—are to function. Of those who signed it, virtually all had taken part in the American Revolution, seven had signed the Declaration of Independence, and 30 had served on active military duty. The signers represented a cross-section of 18th-century American leadership, with individuals having experience in local or colonial and state government.
It is worth noting that some famous founding fathers did not sign the Constitution. Thomas Jefferson, the future third president, was in France serving as the US minister, and John Adams, the future second president, was in Great Britain serving as the US minister. Only six men signed both the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and the Constitution 11 years later: George Clymer, Benjamin Franklin, Robert Morris, George Read, Roger Sherman, and James Wilson.
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39 delegates signed the US Constitution, including George Washington
The US Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 39 delegates to the Constitutional Convention, representing 12 states, endorsed the Constitution. The 13th state, Rhode Island, did not send any delegates.
The 39 signatories to the US Constitution included George Washington, who was the president of the Convention and signed first. The other delegates signed the document grouped by states in progression from north to south. The signatories also included five men who had not served in the Continental or Confederation Congresses: Richard Bassett of Delaware, John Blair of Virginia, David Brearley of New Jersey, Jacob Broom of Delaware, and Charles Cotesworth Pinckney of South Carolina.
Interestingly, the future third president of the United States, Thomas Jefferson, did not sign the Constitution. This was because he was in France, serving as the US envoy. Another future president, John Adams, was also not among the signatories as he was in London as the US minister to Great Britain. Only six men signed both the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and the Constitution 11 years later: George Clymer, Benjamin Franklin, Robert Morris, George Read, Roger Sherman, and James Wilson.
The US Constitution is made up of a preamble, seven articles, and 27 amendments. The first 10 amendments are known as the Bill of Rights. The document lays out the framework for the nation's federal government and describes how its three branches—the legislative, executive, and judicial—are to function.
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Thomas Jefferson and John Adams did not sign the Constitution
The United States Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The signing was preceded by a four-month-long convention, during which the Constitution was drafted. The final document was transcribed by Jacob Shallus, the assistant clerk for the Pennsylvania General Assembly, who was paid $30 for his work.
Jefferson and Adams were influential figures in the founding of the United States. They were friends and political rivals, and they collaborated on important documents, including the Declaration of Independence. Adams, a lawyer and political activist, was a Massachusetts delegate to the Continental Congress and a leader of the revolution. He assisted Jefferson in drafting the Declaration of Independence and was its primary advocate in Congress. Adams also wrote the influential pamphlet "Thoughts on Government," which laid out a framework for republican constitutions.
Jefferson and Adams were both delegates to the Continental Congress and played important roles in shaping the country's early government. They were among the 70 individuals appointed by the original states to the Constitutional Convention, but they did not attend the convention or sign the final document.
The Constitution was signed by 39 delegates, including George Washington, who signed first as the president of the Convention. The delegates who signed represented 12 states, with Rhode Island being the only state that did not send delegates to the Constitutional Convention.
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Benjamin Franklin was the oldest signer at 81, and Jonathan Dayton was the youngest at 26
The United States Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The signing ceremony concluded the four-month-long Constitutional Convention, during which the Constitution was drafted. The document was signed by 39 delegates, with the Convention's secretary, William Jackson, signing as well, bringing the total to 40 signatures.
Among the signers, Benjamin Franklin was the oldest at 81 years of age. Franklin was a strong supporter of the Constitution, despite its imperfections, and played an important role in gaining the endorsement of critics. He was also one of only six Founders to have signed both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Franklin summed up the sentiments of those who signed the Constitution, acknowledging that while there were parts he did not approve of, he accepted it because he "expected no better" and believed it "may be the best."
On the other hand, Jonathan Dayton, at 26 years old, was the youngest person to sign the Constitution. Dayton was a frequent participant in the debates leading up to the signing and had opposed several aspects of the Constitution. Nonetheless, he ultimately signed the final document. Dayton went on to serve in various political roles, including as a member of the New Jersey General Assembly, the United States House of Representatives, and the United States Senate.
The age gap between Franklin and Dayton highlights the range of ages among the delegates who endorsed the Constitution, with Franklin's wisdom and experience complementing Dayton's youth and fresh perspective.
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The US Constitution established the office of the President of the United States
The US Constitution, signed on September 17, 1787, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, established the office of the President of the United States. The Constitution is composed of a preamble, seven articles, and 27 amendments, the first 10 of which are known as the Bill of Rights. The document was signed by 39 delegates, including George Read, who signed for John Dickinson, who was ill. The convention's secretary, William Jackson, also signed the document to authenticate some corrections.
Article II of the US Constitution establishes the role of the President of the United States. The executive power is vested in the President, who holds office for a term of four years. The President is elected by a group of electors, who are appointed by each state's legislature. Each state's electors cast their votes for two people, one of whom must not be an inhabitant of the same state. The person with the highest number of votes becomes President, and the person with the second-highest number of votes becomes Vice President. In the case of a tie for the second-highest number of votes, the Senate chooses the Vice President by ballot.
The Constitution sets out the eligibility requirements for the office of President, stipulating that only natural-born citizens or citizens of the United States at the time of the Constitution's adoption are eligible to hold the office. It also establishes a minimum age requirement of 35 years. Before assuming office, the President must take an oath or affirmation, swearing to faithfully execute the duties of the office and to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution.
The President of the United States has several powers and duties as outlined in the Constitution. The President has the power, with the advice and consent of the Senate, to make treaties, appoint ambassadors, ministers, consuls, Supreme Court judges, and other officers of the United States. The President also has the power to fill vacancies during the recess of the Senate and to grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the United States, except in cases of impeachment. Additionally, the President serves as the commander-in-chief of the Army, Navy, and militia of the United States.
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Frequently asked questions
39 delegates signed the US Constitution, along with the convention's secretary, William Jackson.
The delegates who signed the Constitution included George Clymer, Benjamin Franklin, Robert Morris, George Read, Roger Sherman, and James Wilson.
Thomas Jefferson and John Adams did not sign the Constitution as they were overseas serving as ministers for the US in France and Great Britain, respectively. Three delegates, Elbridge Gerry, George Mason, and Edmund Randolph, refused to sign the Constitution due to their unhappiness with the final document.
The US Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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