Jonah Patel
The United States Constitution, which has served as the foundation of the country's government for over two centuries, was written and signed in 1787. The process of drafting the document began in May 1787 and concluded on September 17 of the same year, with 39 signatures from delegates representing twelve of the thirteen states. The Constitutional Convention, which took place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, aimed to revise the Articles of Confederation and address weaknesses in the federal government structure. The final document, known as the Frame of Government, was the result of intense debates and compromises on various aspects of governance, including representation, separation of powers, and individual rights. The Constitution then underwent a ratification process by the states, with the final state, Rhode Island, ratifying it on May 29, 1790.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of commencement | May 1787 |
| Date of completion | September 17, 1787 |
| Duration | Several months |
| Location | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Number of delegates | 55 |
| Number of states represented | 12 |
| Number of signatures | 39 |
| Date of ratification | June 21, 1788 |
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What You'll Learn
The US Constitution was written and signed in 1787
The United States Constitution, composed of a preamble, seven articles, and 27 amendments, was written and signed on September 17, 1787, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The signing ceremony took place in the Pennsylvania State House, now known as Independence Hall. The Constitution was authored by the Constitutional Convention, which was convened to revise the Articles of Confederation and establish a framework for the US government.
The Constitutional Convention first met on May 25, 1787, with delegates from 12 states in attendance: Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, North Carolina, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Georgia, and South Carolina. The convention was originally intended to discuss ways to facilitate commerce between the states and establish standard rules and regulations. However, it soon became clear that more significant changes were needed, and the focus shifted to drafting a new constitution.
The drafting process took place over several months, with delegates working through the hot Philadelphia summer to hammer out the details of the new government. The convention was marked by intense debate and compromise, as the delegates grappled with issues such as state representation, the balance of power between the states and the federal government, and the protection of individual liberties.
The final document that emerged from the convention established the framework for the federal government, dividing it into three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. It also laid out the rights and responsibilities of the states and the process for amending the Constitution. The Constitution was then submitted to the states for ratification, with the first nine states ratifying it and adopting it as the supreme law of the land.
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The Constitutional Convention took place from May 25 to September 17, 1787
The Constitutional Convention, also known as the Philadelphia Convention, took place from May 25 to September 17, 1787. The convention was held in the Assembly Room of the Pennsylvania State House, now known as Independence Hall, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Fifty-five delegates from twelve of the thirteen original colonies attended the convention, with Rhode Island being the only state that refused to participate.
The delegates at the convention were tasked with revising the Articles of Confederation, which had been America's first constitution. However, by mid-June, they had decided to completely redesign the government, creating a powerful central government that would address the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. The delegates recognized the need for a more effective government that could address issues such as federal authority, state conflicts, and the regulation of commerce.
The process of writing the Constitution was marked by intense debate and disagreement. The delegates faced challenges such as balancing the interests of large and small states, protecting individual rights, and creating a strong federal government capable of enforcing the law and defending the country. They debated and compromised on various aspects of government structure and function, including representation in Congress, the separation of powers, and the role of the executive branch.
The final draft of the Constitution, containing seven articles, a preamble, and a closing endorsement, was presented to the convention on September 12, 1787. The Constitution was then signed on September 17, 1787, by 38 delegates, with George Reed signing on behalf of John Dickinson of Delaware, bringing the total number of signatures to 39. The ratification process for the Constitution began that day and ended on May 29, 1790, when Rhode Island became the final state to ratify it.
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The Constitution was ratified by the states
The writing of the United States Constitution began on May 25, 1787, when the Constitutional Convention first met at the Pennsylvania State House in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Constitutional Convention aimed to revise the Articles of Confederation, which, as America's first constitution, had no enforcement powers and couldn't regulate commerce or print money. The Constitutional Convention ended on September 17, 1787, when the Frame of Government drafted by the convention's delegates to replace the Articles was adopted and signed.
The Constitution then had to be ratified by the states. Article VII of the Constitution established that ratification by the conventions of nine states would be sufficient for the establishment of the Constitution. The ratification process began on September 17, 1787, and ended when the final state, Rhode Island, ratified it on May 29, 1790. Each state was given six months to meet and vote on the proposed Constitution. On December 7, 1787, Delaware became the first state to ratify the Constitution. New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify it on June 21, 1788, officially ending government under the Articles of Confederation.
The ratification campaign was a challenging process, with the Federalists, who supported a strong central government, needing to convert at least three states. The Anti-Federalists, on the other hand, strongly opposed the Constitution due to its creation of a powerful central government and its lack of a bill of rights. The "vote now, amend later" compromise played a crucial role in securing victory in Massachusetts and eventually in the final holdout states.
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The ratification process began on September 17, 1787, and ended on May 29, 1790
The United States Constitution was written and signed on September 17, 1787. However, the process of ratification, which began on the same day, took nearly two and a half years to complete, ending on May 29, 1790.
The Constitutional Convention, which drafted the Constitution, met from May 25 to September 17, 1787, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Convention was attended by 55 delegates from 12 of the 13 states, who discussed and debated various aspects of government structure and function. The process of drafting the Constitution was challenging, as the delegates had to balance the interests of large and small states, protect individual rights, and create a strong federal government.
The final draft of the Constitution, presented on September 12, 1787, contained seven articles, a preamble, and a closing endorsement. On September 17, 1787, 38 delegates signed the Constitution, with George Reed signing on behalf of John Dickinson of Delaware, bringing the total number of signatures to 39.
The ratification process for the Constitution was established in Article VII, which stated that ratification by the conventions of nine states was sufficient for its establishment. This process bypassed the state legislatures, as the Founding Framers believed that their members would be reluctant to give up power to a national government. Instead, they called for special ratifying conventions in each state.
On June 21, 1788, New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify the Constitution, and the Confederation Congress established March 4, 1789, as the date to begin operating under the new government. The final state to ratify the Constitution was Rhode Island, which did so on May 29, 1790, bringing the ratification process to a close.
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The US Constitution is the supreme law of the land
The Convention was composed of delegates representing 12 states, with Rhode Island refusing to participate. The delegates debated and passed various measures, including the separation of powers of the government into three branches: the legislative branch, which makes the laws; the executive branch, which executes the laws; and the judicial branch, which interprets the laws. They also established a system of checks and balances to ensure that no one branch gained too much power.
The final draft of the Constitution, containing seven articles, a preamble, and a closing endorsement, was presented to the Convention on September 12, 1787. The Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, and the ratification process began. The ratification process involved getting approval from the people of the states, with nine states needed to establish the Constitution. The final state, Rhode Island, ratified the Constitution on May 29, 1790, marking the end of the ratification process.
The US Constitution, as the supreme law of the land, is the source of all government powers and provides important limitations to protect the fundamental rights of US citizens. It establishes the relationship between the states, requiring them to give "full faith and credit" to each other's laws, records, contracts, and judicial proceedings. The Constitution also outlines a process for amending it, and since its ratification, it has been amended 27 times to reflect the changing needs and values of the nation.
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Frequently asked questions
The US Constitution was written in 1787, from May 25 to September 17.
The US Constitution was ratified on June 21, 1788, when New Hampshire became the ninth state to do so. However, the final state, Rhode Island, did not ratify the Constitution until May 29, 1790.
38 delegates signed the Constitution, with George Reed signing on behalf of John Dickinson of Delaware, bringing the total number of signatures to 39.
The US Constitution aimed to provide a stronger federal government while balancing the interests of various states. It also set up a system of checks and balances to ensure that no one branch of government had too much power.
The process of writing the US Constitution began with a convention of state delegates in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in May 1787. Fifty-five delegates from twelve of the thirteen states convened to address the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and create a new governing document. The process involved intense debate and compromise on various aspects of government structure and function, including representation in Congress, the separation of powers, and the role of the executive branch.
