Isabella Carter
The United States Constitution, signed on September 17, 1787, was signed by 39 delegates, eight of whom were from Pennsylvania. This means that 20% of the signers of the most famous legal document in the world were from Pennsylvania.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of people who signed the original Constitution from Pennsylvania | 8 |
| Total number of people who signed the original Constitution | 39 |
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What You'll Learn
20% of the signers were from Pennsylvania
The United States Constitution, the most famous legal document in the world, was signed by 39 men, all of whom were white and property owners. Interestingly, 20% of the signers (eight of the 39) were from the state of Pennsylvania. This means that Pennsylvania had the most delegates sign the Constitution, even more than Virginia or New York.
The Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia was attended by 70 men, many of whom had fought in the American Revolution and served in Congress. However, only 55 delegates attended the majority of the meetings, and there were never more than 46 present at any one time. Rhode Island did not send any delegates to the Convention.
The signing of the Constitution on September 17, 1787, was a significant event, as it established the office of the President of the United States. Of the 39 signers, only two, George Washington and James Madison, served as presidents. Benjamin Franklin, aged 81, was the oldest signer and had to be carried to the sessions in a sedan chair.
The Pennsylvania delegation played a crucial role in the creation of the Constitution, with Benjamin Franklin expressing cautious optimism about the document. Despite their significant contribution, the eight delegates from Pennsylvania did not include their state's name in their signatures, and the state is instead spelled as "Pensylvania" above their names.
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8 out of 39 signers were from Pennsylvania
The creation and signing of the United States Constitution was a pivotal moment in the nation's history, and Pennsylvania played a significant role in this process. Out of the 39 delegates who signed the original Constitution on September 17, 1787, eight of them hailed from Pennsylvania, making it the state with the largest representation among the signers. This prominent participation underscores Pennsylvania's important contribution to the formation of the country's foundational document.
The eight signers from Pennsylvania were Benjamin Franklin, George Clymer, Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, George Ross, James Wilson, Gouverneur Morris, and Jared Ingersoll. Each of these individuals brought their own unique skills, experiences, and perspectives to the Constitutional Convention. Benjamin Franklin, a renowned polymath and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, was the oldest delegate at the Convention and played a pivotal role in the proceedings.
George Clymer and Robert Morris, both prominent figures in Pennsylvania's history, also signed the Constitution. Clymer, a merchant and statesman, was a strong advocate for a more powerful central government, while Morris, known for his financial expertise, served on the committee that wrote the final draft of the Constitution. Benjamin Rush, a physician and educator, was another influential signer from Pennsylvania. He was an early advocate for the abolition of slavery and played a key role in shaping the language of the Constitution.
James Wilson and Gouverneur Morris were also part of the Pennsylvania delegation. Wilson, a prominent lawyer and jurist, was active in the debates and made significant contributions to the final document, including shaping the language of the Supremacy Clause. Morris, a talented writer and orator, is known for drafting the Preamble to the Constitution, which begins with the famous words, "We the People."
The participation of these eight individuals from Pennsylvania reflects the state's diverse and talented contributions to the Constitutional Convention. Their involvement helped shape the principles, structure, and language of the Constitution, solidifying Pennsylvania's place in the foundation of American democracy. This historical fact underscores the state's rich history and its significant role in shaping the nation's future through its involvement in the creation of the Constitution.
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Benjamin Franklin signed the Constitution
Benjamin Franklin, one of America's agents in London, played a significant role in the American Revolution. In 1774, he delivered the Petition of the Continental Congress to Britain's King George III, outlining colonial grievances and seeking solutions. Franklin also served as a delegate to the Continental Congress, where he helped draft the Declaration of Independence and the Articles of Confederation.
In 1775, Franklin returned to Philadelphia and was elected president of the Pennsylvania constitutional convention. This convention resulted in the Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776, which Franklin signed as its president on September 28, 1776. The Pennsylvania Constitution included a Bill of Rights, with rights like freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and the right to a trial by jury, which would later be included in the US Constitution.
Franklin also played a crucial role in the creation of the US Constitution. On September 17, 1787, at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Franklin gave a speech aimed at convincing three delegates who opposed signing the Constitution to abandon their stance. Franklin acknowledged the diversity of opinions in the room and humbly admitted that he, too, had reservations about certain parts of the Constitution but was open to changing his mind. He urged the delegates to doubt "a little of his own infallibility" and unanimously put their names on the document.
While the exact number of signers from Pennsylvania is unclear, it is known that eight of the 39 signers of the US Constitution were from the state. Benjamin Franklin, as a respected founding father, is assumed to have been one of the Pennsylvanian delegates who signed the US Constitution.
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The Pennsylvania Constitution was signed on September 28, 1776
The Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776 was a pivotal document in the state's history and played a significant role in shaping its future. Drafted by the provincial convention, which began meeting in July 1776, it was signed and adopted on September 28 of the same year. This constitution was a reflection of the changing political landscape in Pennsylvania and the broader American colonies at the time. The signing of this document marked a crucial step in Pennsylvania's transition from a British colony to a fully self-governing state.
The constitution-making process in Pennsylvania was influenced by the broader political upheaval and the push for independence from Britain. The document itself was crafted by fifty-one elected delegates, representing various counties across the state. These delegates included prominent figures such as Benjamin Franklin, Robert Morris, and George Clymer, who would later go on to sign the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution. The constitution they drafted established a framework for state governance, outlining the structure and functions of Pennsylvania's government.
One of the key features of the Pennsylvania Constitution was its assertion of popular sovereignty and democratic principles. It granted voting rights to a broader section of the male population, including those who did not own property, which was a significant departure from the norms of the time. This expansion of suffrage reflected the growing ideals of equality and popular participation in governance. The constitution also established a unicameral legislature, known as the "General Assembly," consisting of elected representatives from across the state.
The document outlined the powers and responsibilities of this legislative body, including lawmaking, taxation, and the appointment of executive and judicial officers. Additionally, the Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776 included a statement of rights, guaranteeing certain fundamental freedoms and protections for the state's citizens. These rights encompassed freedom of religion, freedom of the press, trial by jury, and protections against excessive bail and cruel punishments, among others.
The signing of the Pennsylvania Constitution on September 28, 1776, marked a significant milestone in the state's constitutional history. It established a framework for representative government and enshrined the rights of its citizens. While the constitution underwent subsequent revisions and updates, the principles and foundations laid down in this original document continue to influence Pennsylvania's governance today. The constitution-making process also reflected the state's early commitment to democratic ideals and popular sovereignty, setting a precedent for future generations.
In conclusion, the Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776 was a groundbreaking document, signed and ratified by delegates representing the state's diverse population. Its impact extended beyond the immediate political context, shaping the state's future and contributing to the broader American constitutional tradition. The document's emphasis on popular sovereignty, democratic principles, and fundamental rights continues to resonate and inspire efforts to ensure good governance and protect individual liberties.
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The US Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787
The Constitutional Convention was held in Philadelphia, with 70 men in attendance, including delegates from 12 of the 13 states. Rhode Island did not send any delegates. The convention was convened to amend the Articles of Confederation, which had been ratified in 1781, several months before the British surrender at Yorktown. However, the idea of amending the Articles was quickly discarded, and the delegates instead focused on creating a new scheme of government.
The convention was marked by intense debates, particularly on the issue of state representation in Congress. The more populous states sought proportional legislation, while smaller states wanted equal representation. This issue was resolved through the Connecticut Compromise, which proposed a bicameral legislature with proportional representation in the House of Representatives and equal representation for the states in the Senate.
The Constitution faced opposition from several states, most notably Massachusetts, as it failed to reserve undelegated powers to the states and lacked protection for basic political rights such as freedom of speech, religion, and the press. A compromise was reached in February 1788, with the assurance that amendments would be proposed immediately. The Constitution was then ratified by the necessary nine out of 13 states, with New Hampshire becoming the ninth state to do so on June 21, 1788.
On September 25, 1789, the First Congress of the United States adopted 12 amendments to the Constitution—the Bill of Rights. Ten of these amendments were ratified in 1791. Rhode Island, the last of the original 13 colonies, resisted ratifying the Constitution until May 29, 1790, due to its opposition to federal control of currency and its criticism of the compromise on slavery.
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