Isabella Carter
The United States Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Of the 74 individuals selected to attend the Constitutional Convention, 55 delegates participated, with 39 signing the Constitution. The youngest signer was 26-year-old Jonathan Dayton, and the oldest was 81-year-old Benjamin Franklin. The signing of the Constitution was an extraordinary achievement, as the delegates crafted a powerful central government, compromising between wildly different interests and views.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of signing | September 17, 1787 |
| Location | Independence Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Number of delegates who signed | 39 |
| Total number of delegates | 74 |
| Number of delegates who attended | 55 |
| Number of states represented | 12 |
| Youngest signer | Jonathan Dayton, age 26 |
| Oldest signer | Benjamin Franklin, age 81 |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
The signing of the United States Constitution
The United States Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This signing occurred after a four-month-long Constitutional Convention, which began in May of the same year. The convention was convened due to fears that the young country was on the brink of collapse, with disputes over territory, war pensions, taxation, and trade threatening to tear it apart.
The Constitutional Convention was attended by 55 delegates, representing 12 of the 13 states (all except Rhode Island, which refused to send delegates). Of these 55 delegates, 39 signed the Constitution. The delegates who signed the document represented a cross-section of 18th-century American leadership, with seven having signed the Declaration of Independence and 30 having served on active military duty. The youngest signer was 26-year-old Jonathan Dayton, while the oldest was 81-year-old Benjamin Franklin, who was so infirm that he had to be carried to sessions in a sedan chair.
The signing of the Constitution was preceded by an address from Benjamin Franklin, which was read by his colleague James Wilson due to Franklin's ill health. Franklin's speech appealed for unity behind the Constitution, declaring:
> "I think it will astonish our enemies, who are waiting with confidence to hear that our councils are confounded like those of the builders of Babel; and that our States are on the point of separation, only to meet hereafter for the purpose of cutting one another's throats."
The Constitution was then signed by the delegates, grouped by states in progression from north to south. George Washington, as president of the Convention, signed first. The convention's secretary, William Jackson, added a note to verify four amendments made by hand to the final document and signed it to authenticate its validity.
Paul Revere: A Founding Father and Constitution Signer?
You may want to see also
39 delegates signed the Constitution
The United States Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 39 delegates to the Constitutional Convention, representing 12 states (all but Rhode Island, which declined to send delegates), endorsed the Constitution. The endorsement included a brief declaration that the delegates' work had been successfully completed and that those whose signatures appear on it subscribe to the final document.
The 39 signatories of the Constitution represented a cross-section of 18th-century American leadership, with individuals having experience in local or colonial and state government. Virtually every one of them had taken part in the American Revolution; seven had signed the Declaration of Independence, and thirty had served on active military duty. The delegates ranged in age from Jonathan Dayton, aged 26, to Benjamin Franklin, aged 81, who was so infirm that he had to be carried to sessions in a sedan chair.
The signing of the Constitution was the culmination of a four-month-long convention that began on February 21, 1787, when delegates from the several states convened in Philadelphia for the sole and express purpose of revising the Articles of Confederation. The Articles of Confederation, which established the first national government, were deemed inadequate as they failed to empower the central government to carry out essential functions. The central government lacked the power to raise revenue or conduct diplomatic relations, and it could not manage the western territories effectively.
The delegates to the Constitutional Convention debated competing proposals from May to July 1787, before turning over plans to a Grand Committee to hash out an agreement. The committee’s report, dubbed the Great Compromise, resolved many contentious points and prescribed a bicameral legislature with proportional representation in the House and equal state representation in the Senate. After two more months of intense debates and revisions, the delegates produced the document we now know as the Constitution, which expanded the power of the central government while protecting the prerogatives of the states.
Who Signed the Constitution? A Comprehensive Breakdown
You may want to see also
George Washington signed first
George Washington was the first to sign the United States Constitution on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He signed the document as the president of the Constitutional Convention, followed by the other 38 delegates, grouped by states in progression from north to south.
Washington was elected unanimously as the president of the convention on May 14, 1787, by the 55 state delegates who participated in the convention. He was a crucial force in the process, providing guidance and facilitating an atmosphere that allowed for the compromises necessary to create the new government. He helped mediate intense and lengthy debates over the future of the United States, which lasted for four months.
Washington's role in the founding of the American Republic was indispensable. He was involved in both military matters and issues of governing. He was not initially interested in being a part of politics, but he was convinced that his presence was essential. During the debates, he stayed relatively quiet, allowing the delegates to discuss the foundation of the Constitution themselves. He mainly participated to keep order and provide a deciding vote when needed.
Washington's support for the Constitution was significant. He expressed a desire to see it adopted, acknowledging its imperfections but praising the amendment provision that allowed for corrections. His letter of September 17, 1787, as president of the Convention to the president of Congress, was attached to the Constitution whenever it was printed. In the letter, he wrote, "the Constitution, which we now present, is the result of a spirit of amity and of that mutual deference and concession which the peculiarity of our political situation rendered indispensable." This support made it challenging for Antifederalists to justify their opposition to ratification.
Who Signed the Constitution? Benjamin Rush's Influence
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![A History of Violence (The Criterion Collection) [4K UHD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71lqpbUFtWL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
The signing took place on September 17, 1787
The signing of the United States Constitution took place on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This was the culmination of a four-month-long convention that began in May of the same year.
The Constitutional Convention was convened to address the shortcomings of the Articles of Confederation, which was America's first constitution. The Articles of Confederation gave the Confederation Congress the power to make rules and request funds from the states, but it lacked enforcement powers and could not regulate commerce or print money. As a result, disputes over territory, war pensions, taxation, and trade threatened to tear the young nation apart.
On September 17, 1787, the members of the Constitutional Convention met for the last time. Benjamin Franklin, the oldest delegate at 81 years old, had written a speech that was delivered by his colleague, James Wilson. Franklin appealed for unity behind the Constitution, declaring that the new framework would astonish their enemies and prevent the states from descending into chaos.
Following Franklin's speech, the delegates in the hall formally signed the Constitution. Thirty-eight delegates signed the document, with George Read signing on behalf of John Dickinson of Delaware, who was absent, bringing the total number of signatures to 39. The convention's secretary, William Jackson, also signed the document to authenticate some corrections. The delegates then shared a farewell dinner at City Tavern to celebrate their achievement.
The Day the US Constitution Was Signed
You may want to see also
The signing occurred at Independence Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The signing of the United States Constitution occurred on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Known originally as the Pennsylvania State House, the building was constructed between 1732 and 1754 and served as the meeting place for the Second Continental Congress from 1775 to 1783. It was also here that the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776.
Independence Hall is located in an L-shaped park in Philadelphia, which is bounded by 6th, 2nd, Walnut, and Arch Streets. The building is considered a must-see for history lovers and those curious about the founding of the United States. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with about 90% of the building remaining original.
The Assembly Room is the heart of Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were signed. The room features the iconic "rising sun" chair used by George Washington. The building also once housed the Liberty Bell, which was moved to the Liberty Bell Center across the street in 1976.
Independence Hall was the site of other significant events in American history. It was the principal meeting place of the Second Continental Congress and the Supreme Court, which made its first decisions in Old City Hall between 1791 and 1800. In 1915, former President William Howard Taft presided over a convention that led to the formation of the League of Nations in 1920 and the United Nations in 1945.
Vital Signs: A Key Part of Constitutional Evaluation?
You may want to see also
