Eleanor Finch
The United States Constitution, signed on September 17, 1787, is the oldest written constitution still in operation in the world. The document was signed by 39 delegates, including Benjamin Franklin, who was 81 years old at the time and was the first signer to pass away. The signing of the Constitution took place at the conclusion of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, which had convened on May 25, 1787, with representatives from all 13 states. The Constitution was then submitted to the Congress of the Confederation in New York City within three days of its signing.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 17 September, 1787 |
| Day of the week | Thursday |
| Number of delegates who signed | 39 |
| Oldest delegate | Benjamin Franklin, aged 81 |
| Youngest delegate | Jonathan Dayton, aged 26 |
| First signature | George Washington |
| Last signature | James Madison |
| First state to ratify the Constitution | Delaware |
| Date of ratification by the first state | 7 December, 1787 |
| Date of the first federal elections | 15 December, 1788 |
| Date the new government was set to begin | 4 March, 1789 |
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What You'll Learn
The US Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787
As of my cutoff date of January 1, 2023, it has been 88,255 days since the United States Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787. This date marks a pivotal moment in American history and the foundation of the world's longest-standing constitutional government. The signing of the Constitution was the culmination of a arduous and often contentious process that began with the convening of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia on May 25, 1787.
Delegates from 12 states (all except Rhode Island) gathered to address the weaknesses of the existing Articles of Confederation, which had been in place since 1781. The Articles had established a loose confederation of states with a weak central government, and it soon became apparent that a more robust and effective system of government was needed. Over the course of four months, the delegates, through debate, compromise, and careful deliberation, crafted a document that would serve as the supreme law of the land and the framework for the American governmental system.
The Constitution established a federal system with a separation of powers between three distinct branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial. It outlined the powers and responsibilities of each branch, as well as the rights and freedoms of the people, including the famous Bill of Rights, which was ratified in 1791. The signing of the Constitution on September 17, 1787, marked the end of the Convention and the beginning of the process of ratification by the states, which was completed by 1790.
This date, September 17, is now recognized as Constitution Day in the United States, a day to commemorate and celebrate the signing of this foundational document. It serves as a reminder of the hard-won freedoms and rights enshrined in the Constitution and the enduring legacy of the Founding Fathers who, through their foresight and dedication to democratic principles, created a governing document that has stood the test of time. The US Constitution has not only shaped the course of American history but has also influenced democratic movements and constitutions around the world.
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39 delegates signed the US Constitution
The US Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, which means that it has been 87,553 days since it was signed. The signing took place at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and 39 delegates endorsed the Constitution, which was created during a four-month-long convention.
The 39 delegates who signed the Constitution represented 12 states, with Rhode Island being the only state that refused to send delegates. The delegates included George Washington, who signed first, and was the president of the convention. The remaining delegates were grouped by states in progression from north to south, with signatures starting in a second column when the space ran out.
The youngest delegate to sign the Constitution was 26-year-old Jonathan Dayton, while the oldest was 81-year-old Benjamin Franklin, who summed up the sentiments of those who signed it, despite their reservations:
> "There are several parts of this Constitution which I do not at present approve, but I am not sure I shall never approve them. I accept the Constitution [...] because I expect no better and because I am not sure that it is not the best."
The signing of the US Constitution was a significant event in the country's history, as it laid out the framework for the nation's federal government and delineated the functions of its three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. The document was also a result of the realisation that the Articles of Confederation, which established the first national government, needed significant revisions to empower the central government effectively.
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The US Constitution is the oldest written constitution still in operation
The US Constitution, signed on September 17, 1787, is the oldest written constitution still in operation. It was ratified in 1788 and introduced into operation in 1789.
The document was signed by 39 delegates, with George Washington signing first as president of the convention. The youngest person to sign the Constitution was 26-year-old Jonathan Dayton, while the oldest was 81-year-old Benjamin Franklin. Franklin summed up the feelings of many of the delegates when he said, "There are several parts of this Constitution which I do not at present approve, but I am not sure I shall never approve them."
The US Constitution is considered the oldest written constitution still in use today among nations. However, some scholars argue that the United Kingdom and San Marino have older written governing documents still in effect. The UK's constitution is largely unwritten and based on common law, practices, and various statutes, including the Magna Carta, which was written in the 13th century. San Marino's government, on the other hand, is based on a series of written laws enacted in 1600.
Despite being the oldest, the US Constitution is also one of the most difficult constitutions in the world to amend. This has been criticized as a reason why the US still has many undemocratic institutions that most or all other democracies have reformed.
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The US Constitution was signed in Philadelphia
George Washington, as president of the Convention, signed the Constitution first, followed by the other delegates, grouped by states from north to south. Of the 41 men in the room, 38 signed the document, with George Read signing for an absent John Dickinson. The three dissenters, Elbridge Gerry, George Mason, and Edmund Randolph, refused to sign the final document. Benjamin Franklin, at 81, was the oldest signer, and he made the final motion to sign the document. Jonathan Dayton, aged 26, was the youngest signer.
The original signed, handwritten Constitution is currently located at the National Archives in Washington, D.C. The National Constitution Center also owns a rare, original copy of the first public printing of the Constitution, which was published in a newspaper, The Pennsylvania Packet and Daily Advertiser, on September 19, 1787, two days after the Constitution was signed. The US Constitution is the fundamental framework of America's system of government, separating powers into the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, and setting up a system of checks and balances.
As of September 17, 2024, it has been 237 years since the US Constitution was signed in Philadelphia.
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The US Constitution was signed at the Pennsylvania State House
The US Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, marking a significant moment in the country's history. The signing took place at the Pennsylvania State House, now known as Independence Hall, in Philadelphia. This event was the culmination of a Constitutional Convention that began on May 25, 1787, with representatives from all 13 states gathering to amend the Articles of Confederation. However, the convention ultimately led to the creation of a new form of government and the proposal of a new constitution.
The document was signed by 39 delegates, including George Washington, who signed first as the president of the convention. The delegates' signatures were grouped by states, progressing from north to south. The youngest signer was 26-year-old Jonathan Dayton, while the oldest was 81-year-old Benjamin Franklin. Franklin, despite having reservations about certain parts of the Constitution, accepted it, hoping for future improvements.
The signing of the US Constitution was a unanimous decision by the states present, with 38 out of 41 delegates endorsing it. The document was then submitted to the Congress of the Confederation in New York City within three days. The Constitution has since been celebrated and commemorated, such as through postage stamps in 1937 and a silver dollar coin minted in 1987 to mark its 200th anniversary.
The Pennsylvania State House, where the Constitution was signed, holds historical significance. It was also the site of the signing of the Declaration of Independence eleven years earlier. Now known as Independence Hall, it stands as a symbol of the nation's independence and the establishment of a new governing document. The building has undergone several renovations and remains a popular tourist destination in Philadelphia.
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Frequently asked questions
As of May 2025, it has been around 90,000 days since the signing of the Constitution.
The Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787.
39 delegates signed the Constitution.
The Constitution was signed in Philadelphia, at the conclusion of the Constitutional Convention.
