Simone Lawson
The United States Constitution and the Declaration of Independence are two of the most important documents in American history. The Declaration of Independence, signed in 1776, proclaimed the independence of the Thirteen Colonies from the Kingdom of Great Britain, marking a significant turning point in the American Revolution. The Constitution, adopted a few years later in 1787, established the framework for the nation's federal government and outlined the functions of its three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. While 56 delegates signed the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution was signed by 39 delegates, with 13 dropping out of the Constitutional Convention and three refusing to sign the final draft.
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What You'll Learn
39 delegates signed the US Constitution
The US Constitution was signed by 39 delegates, or "Founding Fathers", on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The signing occurred during the Federal Convention of 1787, which was convened due to the majority of delegates to Congress agreeing that the Articles of Confederation, which established the first national government, needed significant revisions. The Articles' primary weakness was their failure to empower the central government to carry out essential functions, such as raising revenue, conducting diplomatic relations, and effectively managing western territories.
The 39 delegates who signed the Constitution represented 12 states, with Rhode Island being the only state that did not send any delegates to the Constitutional Convention. The delegates ranged in age from Jonathan Dayton, the youngest at 26 years old, to Benjamin Franklin, the oldest at 81 years old. Franklin was so infirm that he had to be carried to sessions in a sedan chair.
The signing of the Constitution was the culmination of four months of intense debates and revisions by the delegates. The final document expanded the power of the central government while protecting the prerogatives of the states. The U.S. Constitution outlines the framework of the nation's federal government and delineates the functioning of its three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial.
Of the 39 delegates who signed the Constitution, virtually all had taken part in the American Revolution, with at least 29 having served in the Continental forces, most of them in positions of command. Additionally, seven of the signatories had also signed the Declaration of Independence. While not all of the delegates agreed with the final product, some signed the Constitution, anticipating vigorous debates within their states.
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7 signatories had also signed the Declaration of Independence
The United States Declaration of Independence was signed by 56 delegates, with eight delegates never putting their signature on the document. The signing occurred primarily on August 2, 1776, at the Pennsylvania State House, later renamed Independence Hall, in Philadelphia. The date the Declaration was signed has long been a subject of debate. While the signed copy is dated July 4, 1776, and Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and John Adams all wrote that it was signed by Congress on the same day it was adopted, Thomas McKean disputed this, pointing out that some signers were not present or even elected to Congress yet. Legal historian Wilfred Ritz supported McKean's claim, arguing that the engrossed copy was signed on July 4, but he also posits that the phrase "signed by every member of Congress" in the July 19 resolution meant that delegates who had not signed on July 4 were required to do so later.
Among the signatories of the Declaration of Independence, seven individuals also signed the United States Constitution. These seven signatories are George Read, Robert Morris, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and James Wilson. George Read and Robert Morris's signatures on the Declaration are particularly notable, as Read had initially voted against the resolution of independence, while Morris had abstained. Future presidents Thomas Jefferson and John Adams were among the most notable signatories. Edward Rutledge, at 26 years old, was the youngest signer, while Benjamin Franklin, at 70, was the oldest.
The process of adopting the Declaration of Independence began on July 4, 1776, when 12 of the 13 colonies voted in favor, with New York abstaining as they had not received instructions to vote for independence. The Declaration proclaimed that the Thirteen Colonies were now "free and independent States," no longer a part of the Kingdom of Great Britain or the British Empire. The signing of the Declaration of Independence was a significant event, marking the official declaration of independence for the colonies and setting in motion the establishment of the United States of America as a sovereign nation.
The seven signatories who signed both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution played a pivotal role in shaping the early history of the United States. Their contributions not only helped establish the independence of the nation but also laid the foundation for its constitutional framework. The influence of these individuals extended beyond their signatures, as they actively participated in the political and legislative processes that guided the young nation's development. Their involvement in drafting and signing these foundational documents underscores their commitment to the principles of liberty, democracy, and self-governance that continue to define the United States.
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56 people signed the Declaration of Independence
The United States Declaration of Independence, which proclaimed the independence of the Thirteen Colonies from the Kingdom of Great Britain, was signed by 56 delegates to the Second Continental Congress. The signing occurred primarily on August 2, 1776, at the Pennsylvania State House, later renamed Independence Hall, in Philadelphia. The 56 delegates represented the Thirteen Colonies, and 12 of the colonies voted to approve the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, with New York abstaining. The date of the signing has been a subject of debate, with some sources claiming it was signed on July 4, 1776, the same day it was adopted.
The 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence are often referred to as the "founding fathers" of the United States. Their names are grouped by state, with the exception of John Hancock, who was the President of the Continental Congress. The states are arranged geographically from south to north, with Button Gwinnett from Georgia signing first, and Matthew Thornton from New Hampshire signing last.
The identities and motivations of the signers have been the subject of much historical interest. The signers included prominent figures such as Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and John Adams, who all asserted that the Declaration was signed on July 4, 1776. The signers also included Mary Katherine Goddard, the postmaster of Baltimore, who was tasked with printing the signed Declaration. She signed with her full name, "Mary Katherine Goddard," instead of her usual signature, "M.K. Goddard," which she used as the owner of the Maryland Journal.
The Declaration of Independence has had a significant impact on the abolitionist movement, with abolitionist leaders such as Benjamin Lundy and William Lloyd Garrison adopting it as a basis for their philosophies. It has also influenced community organizing and mutual aid efforts among working-class Black people, such as the Black Panthers' Ten-Point Program. The Declaration has proven to be a globally influential statement on human rights, with Abraham Lincoln considering it the moral standard to which the United States should strive.
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39 delegates attended the Constitutional Convention
The United States Declaration of Independence was signed by 56 delegates on August 2, 1776, at the Pennsylvania State House, later renamed Independence Hall, in Philadelphia. The signing occurred nearly a month after its adoption on July 4, 1776, when 12 of the 13 colonies voted in favour of the Declaration, with New York abstaining. The 56 delegates represented the 13 colonies, and 8 delegates never signed the Declaration.
The Constitutional Convention, on the other hand, had 55 delegates in attendance, but only 39 of them signed the Constitution. The original states, except Rhode Island, which did not send any delegates, collectively appointed 70 individuals to the Convention. Some of those appointed did not accept or could not attend, including Richard Henry Lee, Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Samuel Adams, and John Hancock. The delegates who did attend the sessions ranged in age from 26-year-old Jonathan Dayton to 81-year-old Benjamin Franklin, who was so infirm that he had to be carried to the sessions in a sedan chair.
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74 individuals were selected to attend the Constitutional Convention
The Constitutional Convention, also known as the Federal Convention, the Philadelphia Convention, or the Grand Convention, was held in Philadelphia from May 25 to September 17, 1787. The convention was assembled to revise the Articles of Confederation, which was America's first constitution. However, by mid-June, the delegates had decided to completely redesign the government.
The Constitutional Convention was attended by 55 delegates, out of the 74 individuals who were initially selected. The remaining 19 selected individuals did not attend for various reasons, including personal reasons or in protest of decisions made during the deliberations. The delegates in attendance represented 12 of the 13 states, with Rhode Island being the only state that refused to send delegates.
The delegates in attendance crafted the new constitution, which was signed by 39 of them. Several attendees left before the signing ceremony, and three of those who remained refused to sign the final draft. The names of 39 delegates are inscribed on the proposed constitution. The convention's secretary, William Jackson, also signed the document to authenticate some corrections, bringing the total number of signatures to 40.
The signers of the Constitution represented a cross-section of 18th-century American leadership, with experience in local, colonial, and state governments. Virtually all of them had taken part in the American Revolution, with 30 having served on active military duty and seven having signed the Declaration of Independence. The youngest signer was Jonathan Dayton, aged 26, while the oldest was Benjamin Franklin, aged 81.
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Frequently asked questions
56 people signed the Declaration of Independence, though the date of its signing has long been disputed. Most historians have concluded that it was signed on August 2, 1776, and not on July 4 as is commonly believed.
The 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence were delegates to the Second Continental Congress, representing the Thirteen Colonies. The signers' names are grouped by state, with the exception of John Hancock, as President of the Continental Congress.
39 people signed the Constitution. 74 individuals were selected to attend the Constitutional Convention, but only 55 delegates participated. 13 of them dropped out, and 3 refused to sign the final draft.
The people who signed the Constitution were delegates from 12 of the 13 states. Rhode Island refused to send delegates. The signers included John Dickinson, George Read, and George Washington. Jonathan Dayton, age 26, was the youngest signer, while Benjamin Franklin, age 81, was the oldest.
