Malcolm Rivera
The United States Constitution was ratified by Congress and signed on September 17, 1787, by 38 out of 41 delegates present. The first state to ratify the Constitution was Delaware on December 7, 1787, followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut. The date of signing of the United States Declaration of Independence, however, has long been disputed. While most sources claim that it was signed on August 2, 1776, some argue that it was signed on July 4, 1776, the same day that the Continental Congress formally adopted it.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of signing of the United States Declaration of Independence | The date of signing has long been disputed. Most sources claim it was signed on August 2, 1776, while others claim it was signed on July 4, 1776. |
| Location of signing | The Pennsylvania State House, later renamed Independence Hall, in Philadelphia |
| Number of delegates | 56 |
| Number of colonies that voted to approve the Declaration of Independence | 12 out of 13 colonies (New York abstained) |
| Date the Declaration of Independence was approved | July 4, 1776 |
| Date the United States Constitution was signed | September 17, 1787 |
| Date the United States Constitution was ratified | May 29, 1790 |
| Date July 4th became a federal holiday | 1870 (expanded to include paid holiday for federal employees in 1941) |
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What You'll Learn
- The Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4th, 1776
- The United States Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787
- The signing of the Declaration of Independence occurred in Philadelphia
- The Independence Day celebrations began in the 18th century
- The US Constitution was ratified by all states on May 29, 1790
The Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4th, 1776
The road to independence began with the Continental Congress's vote in favour of independence on July 2nd, 1776, followed by the adoption of the Declaration of Independence by delegates from the Thirteen Colonies on July 4th. The final wording of the Declaration was approved on this date, and it was sent to a printer named John Dunlap for publication. The printed Declaration was then read publicly for the first time on July 8th, marking a crucial moment in the American Revolution.
While the Declaration of Independence was approved and signed by Congress on July 4th, there has been some debate and discrepancies regarding the exact date. Some sources indicate that the signing occurred primarily on August 2nd, 1776, at the Pennsylvania State House, now known as Independence Hall, in Philadelphia. The delay between the approval and signing may have been due to the absence of some delegates or the process of obtaining instructions from their respective colonies.
The Declaration of Independence holds immense significance in American history and has influenced global perceptions of human rights. It provided a moral standard for leaders like Abraham Lincoln, who considered it the foundation of his political philosophy. The Declaration also offered legal and historical clarity to the Constitution and other laws, shaping the country's founding principles.
The signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, 1776, marked a pivotal moment in the establishment of the United States as a sovereign nation, free from colonial rule. It sparked celebrations and traditions that continue to this day, with Americans commemorating Independence Day as a symbol of patriotism and unity.
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The United States Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787
The Continental Congress voted in favor of independence on July 2, 1776, and two days later, delegates from the 13 colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence. The final draft of the Declaration was approved by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, with 12 of the 13 colonies voting in favor and New York abstaining. The date that the Declaration was signed has long been disputed, with most historians concluding that it was signed on August 2, 1776, and not on July 4 as is commonly believed.
The United States Constitution, on the other hand, was signed on September 17, 1787, after a constitutional convention was convened to reevaluate the nation's governing document. The convention was originally intended to amend the Articles of Confederation, but ultimately led to the proposal and creation of a new form of government. The Constitution was signed by delegates from all 13 states, and it established a stronger, more centralized government for the newly formed nation.
The first state to ratify the Constitution was Delaware on December 7, 1787, followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut. The Constitution was not ratified by all states until May 29, 1790, when Rhode Island finally approved the document. The Bill of Rights, which included amendments to protect rights such as freedom of speech, religion, and the press, was ratified on December 15, 1791.
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The signing of the Declaration of Independence occurred in Philadelphia
On July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress unanimously approved the final wording of the Declaration. Twelve of the thirteen colonies voted in favour, with New York abstaining as they had not yet received instructions from Albany to vote for independence. The approved Declaration was then sent to a local printer, John Dunlap, who printed about 200 broadsides for distribution throughout the colonies. The first public readings of the Declaration occurred simultaneously in three locations on July 8, including in Philadelphia, where it was read by John Nixon in the yard of present-day Independence Hall.
While the final draft of the Declaration was approved on July 4, the exact date of its signing has been a subject of debate. Most historians have concluded that it was signed on August 2, 1776, nearly a month after its adoption, with 56 delegates signing the document. However, some, including Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and John Adams, asserted that it was signed on July 4, 1776, the same day it was adopted. This assertion is supported by the signed copy of the Declaration, which is dated July 4.
The Declaration of Independence has become one of the most influential documents in history, providing a foundation for American political philosophy and shaping the interpretation of the Constitution. It is now preserved at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., and is on display at the National Archives, where it is considered the official document.
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The Independence Day celebrations began in the 18th century
The Fourth of July, also known as Independence Day, has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1941, but the tradition of Independence Day celebrations goes back to the 18th century and the American Revolution. On July 2, 1776, the Continental Congress voted in favour of independence, and two days later, delegates from the 13 colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence, a historic document drafted by Thomas Jefferson.
From 1776 to the present day, July 4th has been celebrated as the birth of American independence. The first celebrations of Independence Day in the 18th century included festivities like fireworks, parades, concerts, bonfires, and the firing of cannons and muskets. These celebrations usually accompanied the first public readings of the Declaration of Independence.
The early Independence Day celebrations in the 18th century were marked by a sense of revolutionary fervour and patriotism. Colonists held mock funerals for King George III to symbolise the end of the monarchy's rule in America and the triumph of liberty. The Declaration of Independence, with its assertion of human rights and self-governance, became a rallying cry for the American revolutionaries.
While the date of the signing of the Declaration of Independence has been disputed, with some sources claiming it was signed on July 4, 1776, and others suggesting it was signed on August 2, 1776, the document itself is dated July 4, 1776. This date, inscribed on the Declaration, holds symbolic significance and has been commemorated annually since the late 18th century.
The Independence Day celebrations in the 18th century laid the foundation for what became a long-standing tradition in American culture. Over time, the political importance of the holiday may have waned, but Independence Day remains a significant national holiday, a symbol of patriotism, and an occasion for Americans to come together and celebrate their nation's freedom.
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The US Constitution was ratified by all states on May 29, 1790
The first state to ratify the Constitution was Delaware on December 7, 1787, followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut. Some states voiced opposition to the Constitution, arguing that it did not adequately protect certain rights, such as freedom of speech, religion, and the press. To address these concerns, the Massachusetts Compromise was reached in February 1788, which stipulated that amendments—what became the Bill of Rights—would be proposed immediately. Following the compromise, the Constitution was ratified by Massachusetts, Maryland, South Carolina, and, eventually, New Hampshire.
The US Constitution was drafted during a convention in Philadelphia on May 25, 1787, which was initially intended to amend the Articles of Confederation. However, the delegates, including Alexander Hamilton, decided to create a new form of government with a stronger, more centralized structure. The convention concluded on September 17, 1787, with 38 out of 41 delegates signing the new US Constitution.
The US Constitution was not ratified by all states until nearly three years after it was drafted, and it did not resemble its modern form until several years after ratification. The first presidential election under the new Constitution took place in 1788, with George Washington elected as the first President and John Adams as Vice President. The Bill of Rights, consisting of ten amendments, was not ratified until December 15, 1791, over a year after all states had ratified the Constitution.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the US Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, by 38 out of 41 delegates present.
July 4th, 1776, is the day the Continental Congress formally adopted the Declaration of Independence.
The Continental Congress voted in favour of independence on July 2, 1776, and two days later, delegates from the 13 colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence.
