Malcolm Rivera
The United States Constitution was ratified on May 29, 1790, when Rhode Island became the final state to approve the document. The journey to ratification was long and arduous, with the first state, Delaware, ratifying the Constitution on December 7, 1787. The Constitution took effect in 1789 and has served as the basis of the United States Government ever since, guiding the government, safeguarding the rights of the states and people, and ensuring the nation's evolution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Ratification of the Constitution | 21 June 1788 |
| Date the Constitution became the official framework of the government of the USA | 21 June 1788 |
| Date the Constitution was signed | 17 September 1787 |
| Date the Constitutional Convention met for the first time | 25 May 1787 |
| Date the ratification process began | 17 September 1787 |
| Date the ratification process ended | 29 May 1790 |
| Date the Bill of Rights was ratified | End of 1791 |
| Date the location of the capital was set | 16 July 1790 |
| Date land was designated for the construction of the capital | 24 January 1791 |
| Date the constitutionally-required census was passed | 1 March 1790 |
| Date of the first constitutionally-mandated census | First Monday of August 1790 |
| Number of people counted in the first census | 3,929,214 |
| Number of years since the ratification of the constitution | 235 years |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
The US Constitution was ratified in 1788
The Constitutional Convention, led by Alexander Hamilton, convened in Philadelphia on May 25, 1787, with representatives from all 13 states. The convention aimed to amend the Articles of Confederation, but ultimately, a new form of government was proposed. The new US Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, by 38 of the 41 delegates present, and the process of ratification by the states began.
Under Article VII, the Constitution required ratification by nine of the 13 states to come into effect. Delaware was the first state to ratify on December 7, 1787, followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut. On June 21, 1788, New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify, and the Constitution became the official framework of the US government.
However, it wasn't until May 29, 1790, that all 13 states ratified the Constitution, with Rhode Island being the final state to approve the document. The US Constitution has served as the basis of the US government since it came into effect in 1789, shaping the nation's political landscape and guiding its democratic principles.
Understanding the Constitution: Fixing Taxation Without Representation
You may want to see also
Delaware was the first state to ratify it
On December 7, 1787, Delaware became the first state to ratify the US Constitution, earning it the nickname "The First State". All 30 delegates to the Delaware Constitutional Convention unanimously voted in favour of ratification.
The US Constitution was signed by 38 of the 41 delegates present at the Constitutional Convention on September 17, 1787, in Philadelphia. The document stipulated that it would only become binding once nine of the 13 existing states had ratified it.
Delaware's swift ratification of the Constitution was driven by its citizens' desire for a stronger national government than what was provided under the Articles of Confederation. The state's delegates also contributed significantly to the Constitutional Convention, particularly in addressing the representation of small versus large states.
Following Delaware's lead, New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify the Constitution on June 21, 1788, marking the point at which the Constitution became the official framework of the US government. However, it was not until May 29, 1790, that all 13 states had ratified the document, with Rhode Island being the last to approve it.
Schedules in the Constitution: A Comprehensive Guide
You may want to see also
The Bill of Rights was ratified in 1791
The United States Constitution was ratified in 1787 and became operational in 1789. The process of ratification began on September 17, 1787, when 38 or 39 of the 41 or 55 delegates present signed the document. The Constitution was not ratified by all 13 states until May 29, 1790, when Rhode Island finally approved the document.
New Hampshire became the ninth of 13 states to ratify the Constitution on June 21, 1788. This was a significant milestone, as it meant that the Constitution became the official framework of the government of the United States of America. The remaining states to ratify the Constitution were Virginia, New York, and Rhode Island.
The Constitution established a federal government with more specific powers, including those related to conducting foreign relations. The federal government faced many challenges in conducting foreign policy under the Articles of Confederation due to its inability to pass or enforce laws. The Constitution also included compromises to hold the Union together, such as protecting the slave trade for 20 years and allowing states to count three-fifths of their slaves as part of their populations for representation in the federal government.
Federal Reserve System: Constitutional or Not?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The US Constitution is hard to amend
The US Constitution was ratified on June 21, 1788, when New Hampshire became the ninth of 13 states to ratify it. The constitution became the official framework of the government of the United States of America. The journey to ratification was a long and arduous process.
There are two main obstacles to amending the Constitution. Firstly, the supermajority approvals required for an amendment create a formidable labyrinth that is hard to navigate. Secondly, the current dynamics of constitutional politics have thwarted coordination between the national and state governments and between the two national political parties. These factors have frozen the Constitution, making it virtually impossible for any constitutional amendment proposal to be ratified.
The Framers, the men who wrote the Constitution, wanted the amendment process to be difficult. They believed that a long and complicated amendment process would help create stability in the United States. Because it is so difficult to amend the Constitution, amendments are usually permanent.
The US Constitution can only be changed through the amendment process. Amendments are usually only needed to change or clarify something that the Constitution specifically says. In over 230 years, there have only been 27 amendments.
James Madison's Vision: Constitution's Core Principles
You may want to see also
The US Census is mandated by the Constitution
The US Constitution, which has guided the US government for over 235 years, was ratified on June 21, 1788, when New Hampshire became the ninth of 13 states to approve it. The US Census is mandated by the Constitution, which states that an apportionment of representatives among the states must be carried out every 10 years. This is outlined in Article I, Section 2 of the Constitution, which says:
> Representatives and direct Taxes shall be apportioned among the several States which may be included within this Union, according to their respective Numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole Number of free Persons, including those bound to Service for a Term of Years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three-fifths of all other Persons. The actual Enumeration shall be made within three Years after the first Meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent Term of ten Years, in such Manner as they shall by Law direct.
The first census, conducted in 1790, counted 3,929,214 people living in the United States. US marshals and their assistants travelled to every household in the 13 states, collecting data about the number of people by categories such as gender and age. Since then, the constitutionally-mandated census has been carried out every 10 years, aiding in the apportionment of the US House of Representatives and recording the nation's demographic and economic evolution.
The census is a tool for political empowerment, ensuring that each state has representation in the government based on its population. The inclusion of questions beyond a simple headcount has been upheld by the courts, which have affirmed that the Constitution gives Congress the authority to collect statistics in the census. This has allowed for the collection of detailed demographic and economic data, providing valuable insights into the nation's evolution over time.
Understanding Military Appropriations and Constitutional Limits
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
As of June 2023, it has been 235 years since the ratification of the US Constitution.
The US Constitution was ratified on May 29, 1790.
Delaware was the first state to ratify the Constitution on December 7, 1787.
The Constitution required ratification by nine of the thirteen states for it to take effect. New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify it on June 21, 1788.
