Isabella Carter
George Washington signed the Constitution of the United States on 17 September 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Washington had spent the spring and summer of that year presiding over intense and lengthy debate over the future of the United States. He rarely participated in the debates, but his careful mediation helped facilitate an atmosphere which allowed for the compromises necessary to create the new government.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 17 September 1787 |
| Location | Independence Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Role | President of the Constitutional Convention |
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What You'll Learn
George Washington signed the Constitution on September 17, 1787
George Washington signed the Constitution of the United States on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Washington had spent the spring and summer of that year presiding over intense and lengthy debate about the future of the United States. As president of the Constitutional Convention, he rarely participated in debates, but his careful mediation helped facilitate an atmosphere that allowed for the compromises necessary to create the new government.
After four long months of fierce debate, the delegates finally came to an agreement and created the U.S. Constitution as we know it today. Washington's role in the process was crucial. He took an active role in the ratification process, sending copies of the document to Thomas Jefferson and the Marquis de Lafayette, as well as to the three most recent governors of Virginia, all of whom had serious reservations about the Constitution. He also spent his mornings writing letters to political leaders throughout the nation, urging them to support the Constitution.
The importance of Washington's letter of 17 September 1787, as president of the Convention to the president of Congress, cannot be overstated. This letter (written by Gouverneur Morris but signed by Washington) was attached to the Constitution whenever it was printed. The letter stated: "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."
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He was the first president and commander-in-chief
George Washington was the first president and commander-in-chief of the United States. He signed the Constitution on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Washington played a crucial role in the creation of the US Constitution, carefully mediating intense and lengthy debates over the future of the country. As the president of the Constitutional Convention, he rarely participated in the debates themselves but took an active role in the ratification process.
Washington's letter of September 17, 1787, 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.'
Washington also sent copies of the document to Thomas Jefferson and the Marquis de Lafayette, as well as to the three most recent governors of Virginia, urging them to support the Constitution.
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He was president of the Constitutional Convention
George Washington was president of the Constitutional Convention. He spent the spring and summer of 1787 presiding over intense and lengthy debate about the future of the United States. Washington's careful mediation helped facilitate an atmosphere which allowed for the compromises necessary to create the new government. He rarely participated in the debates, but when the Constitution headed to the states for approval, he took an active role in the ratification process.
Before leaving Philadelphia for Virginia, Washington sent copies of the document to Thomas Jefferson and the Marquis de Lafayette, hoping for their support. He also sent copies to Benjamin Harrison, Patrick Henry, and Edmund Randolph, the three most recent governors of Virginia, who each had serious reservations about the Constitution. Once back home at Mount Vernon, Washington spent his mornings writing letters to political leaders throughout the nation, urging them to support the Constitution.
Washington's letter of 17 September 1787, written by Gouverneur Morris but signed by Washington, was attached to the Constitution whenever it was printed. The letter stated: "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."
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He rarely participated in debates
George Washington signed the Constitution of the United States on 17 September 1787 at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He spent the spring and summer of that year presiding over intense and lengthy debate over the future of the United States. He rarely participated in these debates, but his careful mediation helped facilitate an atmosphere which allowed for the compromises necessary to create this bold, new government.
As the president of the Constitutional Convention, Washington's role was largely ceremonial. He was a crucial force in the process, but he said or wrote little publicly. He did, however, take an active role in the ratification process. Before leaving Philadelphia for Virginia, Washington sent copies of the document to Thomas Jefferson and the Marquis de Lafayette, hoping for their support. He also sent copies to the three most recent governors of Virginia, Benjamin Harrison, Patrick Henry, and Edmund Randolph, who each had serious reservations about the Constitution. Once back home at Mount Vernon, Washington spent his mornings writing letters to political leaders throughout the nation, urging them to support the Constitution.
The importance of Washington's letter of 17 September 1787 as president of the Convention to the president of Congress cannot be overemphasised. This letter (written by Gouverneur Morris but signed by Washington) was attached to the Constitution whenever it was printed. The letter stated: "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".
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He took an active role in the ratification process
George Washington signed the Constitution of the United States on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Washington spent the spring and summer of that year presiding over intense and lengthy debate over the future of the United States. His careful mediation helped facilitate an atmosphere which allowed for the compromises necessary to create this bold, new government.
As the president of the Constitutional Convention, Washington rarely participated in the debates. However, he took an active role in the ratification process. Before leaving Philadelphia for Virginia, Washington sent copies of the document to Thomas Jefferson and the Marquis de Lafayette, hoping for their support. Washington also sent copies to Benjamin Harrison, Patrick Henry, and Edmund Randolph, the three most recent governors of Virginia, who each had serious reservations about the Constitution. Once back home at Mount Vernon, Washington spent his mornings writing letters to political leaders throughout the nation, urging them to support the Constitution.
The importance of Washington's letter of 17 September 1787 as president of the Convention to the president of Congress cannot be overstated. This letter (written by Gouverneur Morris but signed by Washington) was attached to the Constitution whenever it was printed. The letter stated: "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."
The Honourable Anthony Kennedy, Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court, discusses the vital role that Washington played in the establishment of the Constitution and the office of the President of the United States.
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Frequently asked questions
No, George Washington did not sign the Constitution first. He signed it on 17 September 1787 at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
George Washington was the president of the Constitutional Convention. He spent the spring and summer of 1787 mediating intense and lengthy debates over the future of the United States. He also took an active role in the ratification process, writing letters to political leaders throughout the nation urging them to support the Constitution.
After signing the Constitution, George Washington wrote a letter to the President of the Continental Congress, Arthur St. Clair, on behalf of the delegates. The letter, written by Gouverneur Morris but signed by Washington, was attached to the Constitution whenever it was printed.
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