Omar Bennett
The United States Constitution was signed by 39 delegates on September 17, 1787. The youngest of these was 26-year-old Jonathan Dayton, while Benjamin Franklin, at 81, was the oldest.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total number of people who signed the Constitution | 39 |
| Number of people from Pennsylvania who signed the Constitution | 8 |
| Number of people from Delaware who signed the Constitution | 5 |
| Youngest person to sign the Constitution | Jonathan Dayton, aged 26 |
| Oldest person to sign the Constitution | Benjamin Franklin, aged 81 |
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What You'll Learn
The first signature was that of George Washington
The first signature on the United States Constitution was that of George Washington. Washington was the president of the Convention, and his signature was followed by those of the other 38 delegates. The delegates were grouped by states in progression from north to south. Interestingly, Washington signed near the right margin of the page, and when the delegates ran out of space, they began a second column of signatures to the left.
The signing of the Constitution was the culmination of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, which was attended by 70 men, chosen by their states. Of these 70 attendees, only 55 delegates attended the majority of the meetings, and there were never more than 46 present at any one time. The 39 delegates who signed the Constitution were from various states, with 20% (eight people) from Pennsylvania, and five from Delaware, which became the first state when all 30 delegates of the Delaware Constitutional Convention unanimously ratified the Constitution on December 7, 1787.
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39 delegates signed the constitution
The United States Constitution was signed by 39 delegates. George Washington, as president of the Convention, signed first, followed by the other delegates, grouped by states in progression from north to south. Washington signed near the right margin of the page, and when the delegates ran out of space, they began a second column of signatures to the left.
The youngest person to sign the Constitution was Jonathan Dayton, aged 26, and the oldest was Benjamin Franklin, aged 81, who was so infirm that he had to be carried to sessions in a sedan chair. Interestingly, 20% of the signers (eight of the 39) were from the state of Pennsylvania. Delaware had the second most delegates (five) sign the U.S. Constitution and it became the very first state when all 30 delegates of the Delaware Constitutional Convention unanimously ratified the U.S. Constitution on December 7, 1787.
Of the 39 signers, only two were or would eventually serve as president. The convention's secretary, William Jackson, while not himself a delegate, signed the document to authenticate some corrections. John Dickinson, who was indisposed by illness, authorized George Read to sign his name by proxy.
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The youngest person to sign was 26-year-old Jonathan Dayton
The youngest person to sign the United States Constitution was 26-year-old Jonathan Dayton. Dayton was one of 39 delegates to sign the document, which was established on September 17, 1787. The oldest person to sign was Benjamin Franklin, who was 81 years old and had to be carried to sessions in a sedan chair.
The 39 delegates were chosen by their states to attend the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. Interestingly, 20% of the signers (eight of the 39) were from the state of Pennsylvania, while the small state of Delaware had the second most delegates (five).
The initial purpose of the convention was to amend the Articles of Confederation. The convention culminated with the signing of the document, which established the office of the President of the United States. However, of the 39 signers, only two were or would eventually serve as president.
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The oldest person to sign was 81-year-old Benjamin Franklin
The oldest person to sign the United States Constitution was 81-year-old Benjamin Franklin. Franklin was so infirm that he had to be carried to sessions in a sedan chair. He was one of 39 delegates to sign the document, which was signed on September 17, 1787. The youngest person to sign was 26-year-old Jonathan Dayton.
The signing of the Constitution was the culmination of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, which was attended by 70 men, many of whom had fought in the American Revolution. Of these, 55 attended the majority of the meetings, and 39 signed the document. Interestingly, 20% of the signers (eight of the 39) were from the state of Pennsylvania, and Delaware had the second most delegates (five) sign the Constitution.
Benjamin Franklin's signature on the Constitution is a testament to his enduring legacy and contributions to the founding of the United States. Despite his advanced age, Franklin persevered to add his name to the document, ensuring his place in history as one of the Founding Fathers.
The signing of the Constitution was a significant moment in the history of the United States, and the presence of Franklin, a revered statesman and diplomat, added further weight to the occasion. His signature, alongside those of his fellow delegates, helped to establish the framework for the nation's government and the office of the President of the United States.
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Pennsylvania had the most delegates sign the constitution
The names of 39 delegates are inscribed upon the proposed constitution. Among them is John Dickinson, who, indisposed by illness, authorised George Read to sign his name by proxy. Additionally, the convention's secretary, William Jackson, while not himself a delegate, signed the document to authenticate some corrections. George Washington, as president of the Convention, signed first, followed by the other delegates, grouped by states in progression from north to south. Washington, however, signed near the right margin of the page, and when the delegates ran out of space they began a second column of signatures to the left. Jonathan Dayton, aged 26, was the youngest to sign the Constitution, while Benjamin Franklin, aged 81, was the oldest.
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Frequently asked questions
39 people signed the Constitution.
George Washington, as president of the Convention, signed first.
70 men were chosen by their states to attend the Convention, but only 55 delegates attended the majority of the meetings.
Pennsylvania had the most delegates sign the Constitution (eight of the 39).
The delegates ranged in age from Jonathan Dayton, aged 26, to Benjamin Franklin, aged 81.
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