Eleanor Finch
The US Constitution was written and signed in Philadelphia in 1787. The Founding Fathers gathered in the Assembly Room of the Pennsylvania State House, now known as Independence Hall, to debate, draft, and sign the document. This building was chosen as it was where the Declaration of Independence was signed 11 years earlier.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Philadelphia |
| Building Name | Independence Hall |
| Building's Former Name | Pennsylvania State House |
| Room | Assembly Room |
| Date | May 25, 1787 – September 17, 1787 |
| Number of Signatures | 39 |
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What You'll Learn
The US Constitution was written and signed in Philadelphia
The Constitutional Convention, also known as the Philadelphia Convention, was held from May 25 to September 17, 1787, and it was during this convention that the US Constitution was debated, drafted, and ratified. The Founding Fathers chose this venue because it was where the Declaration of Independence was signed 11 years earlier. The Constitution was written during a time when the union between the states was unraveling, and delegates from 12 states met in Philadelphia to create a new form of government. George Washington, who was appointed commander-in-chief of the Continental Army in 1775, presided over the convention, and James Madison is considered the chief architect of the Constitution.
The US Constitution is the oldest and longest-standing written and codified national constitution in force in the world. It is a charter of government that has been ratified by the states, and it continues to be the supreme law of the land. The Constitution's main provisions include seven articles that define the basic framework of the federal government. The first three articles embody the doctrine of the separation of powers, dividing the federal government into three branches: the legislative, consisting of the bicameral Congress (Article I); the executive, consisting of the president and subordinate officers (Article II); and the judicial, consisting of the Supreme Court and other federal courts (Article III).
The National Constitution Center, located on Independence Mall in Philadelphia, stands within sight of Independence Hall. The center tells the story of the US Constitution through interactive and multimedia exhibits, photographs, texts, films, and artifacts. It houses a rare, original copy of the first public printing of the Constitution, which was published in a newspaper, The Pennsylvania Packet and Daily Advertiser, on September 19, 1787, two days after the Constitution was signed. The original signed, handwritten Constitution is kept at the National Archives in Washington, D.C.
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The Assembly Room of the Pennsylvania State House
The story of the Assembly Room is deeply intertwined with the events that unfolded during the Constitutional Convention, also known as the Philadelphia Convention, which took place from May 25 to September 17, 1787. It was in this very room that the Founding Fathers, including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison, assembled to shape the future of their nation.
The choice of the Assembly Room as the venue for this momentous occasion was deliberate and symbolic. Eleven years prior, in 1776, the same room had witnessed the signing of the Declaration of Independence, marking America's independence from British rule. By returning to this place, the Founding Fathers sought to honour the past while forging a new path for the country.
As the delegates convened in the Assembly Room, they grappled with complex issues and conflicting interests. One of the most contentious debates centred around the balance of power between the states and the federal government. The delegates, wary of centralised authority yet aspiring for a strong nation, crafted compromises that laid the foundation for a powerful central government while preserving the rights of the states.
The Assembly Room bore witness to intense discussions, passionate speeches, and the careful crafting of words that would shape the nation's future. The final document, signed by 39 delegates, stands as a testament to their dedication and perseverance. The Constitution, completed and signed on September 17, 1787, took effect on March 4, 1789, when the new Congress convened in New York's Federal Hall.
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Independence Hall, Philadelphia
Independence Hall in Philadelphia is a historic civic building and the birthplace of the United States. It was here, in the Assembly Room of the Pennsylvania State House, that the Founding Fathers of the United States gathered to debate, draft, sign, and adopt the US Constitution. The Constitutional Convention, also known as the Philadelphia Convention, took place in Independence Hall from May 25 to September 17, 1787. The Founding Fathers chose this venue because it held significance as the place where the Declaration of Independence was signed eleven years earlier, on July 4, 1776.
The Pennsylvania State House, now known as Independence Hall, was completed in 1753 and served as the first capitol of the colonial-era Province of Pennsylvania. During the American Revolutionary War, the Second Continental Congress convened in Independence Hall from 1775 to 1781. On June 14, 1775, the Continental Congress founded the Continental Army and appointed George Washington as its commander-in-chief. The Congress also appointed Benjamin Franklin as the first Postmaster General of what later became the United States Post Office Department.
Independence Hall continued to be a significant site in the years following the drafting of the Constitution. In 1787, the Congress of the Confederation under the Articles of Confederation met in Federal Hall in Philadelphia while the Constitution was being finalised. Federal Hall was demolished in 1812, and the current building opened in 1842 as the US Customs House. In 1920, it became a Federal Reserve Bank.
Independence Hall was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979 and is now part of the Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia. The park includes about twenty buildings open to the public and interprets the events and lives of the diverse population of Philadelphia during its time as the capital of the United States from 1790 to 1800. Independence Hall is open to the public daily from 9 am to 5 pm, with guided tours available every 20 minutes between 10 am and 4:20 pm. Visitors must pass through a security screening and are encouraged to purchase timed tickets in advance.
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The Constitutional Convention
The Convention commenced on May 25, 1787, and concluded on September 17, 1787, with 38 delegates signing the Constitution (39 including the signature of George Reed on behalf of John Dickinson of Delaware). The delegates represented 12 states, with Rhode Island being the only state that did not send a representative. The gathering was conducted under an oath of secrecy, and the windows of the State House were shuttered to ensure privacy for open discussions.
However, as the Convention progressed, the delegates decided to go beyond mere revisions and embarked on a complete redesign of the government. One of the fiercest debates centred on congressional representation, with delegates compromising by granting each state one representative for every 30,000 people in the House of Representatives and two representatives in the Senate. They also grappled with the contentious issue of slavery, temporarily resolving that the slave trade could continue until 1808.
The Constitution that emerged from the Convention was a bold document, establishing a powerful central government while carefully balancing state and federal powers. It was a product of intense debates, compromises, and the collective efforts of America's Founding Fathers, including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and Alexander Hamilton. The Constitution was then ratified by the states, becoming the supreme law of the land and serving as an enduring inspiration for democratic ideals worldwide.
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The US Constitution was ratified in 1788
The US Constitution was ratified on June 21, 1788, when New Hampshire became the ninth of 13 states to approve it. The constitution was drafted in 1787, and Delaware was the first state to ratify it on December 7 of that year. The document was tailored to a newly formed nation made up of states acting as independent, sovereign countries. However, it became clear to America's leaders that a stronger, more centralised government was required for future stability.
The US Constitution was written following the American Revolutionary War, in which the 13 colonies fought for their right to self-governance. The Articles of Confederation, regarded as the first American Constitution, were ratified in 1781. They unified the 13 colonies under Congress and were designed to set out how the American government would function. However, after winning the Revolutionary War in 1783, it became apparent that a more powerful central government was needed to protect America's freedom.
The US Constitution was drafted in Philadelphia, specifically in the Assembly Room of the Pennsylvania State House (now known as Independence Hall). The Founding Fathers chose this venue because it was where the Declaration of Independence was signed 11 years earlier. The document was signed by representatives from all 13 states, who were invited to a Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia on May 25, 1787.
The Constitution's main provisions include seven articles that define the basic framework of the federal government. The first three articles embody the doctrine of the separation of powers, dividing the federal government into three branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial. The Constitution continues to guide the US government and protect the rights of all Americans, inspiring democracies worldwide.
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Frequently asked questions
The US Constitution was written in Philadelphia, in the Assembly Room of the Pennsylvania State House, now known as Independence Hall.
The US Constitution was written in 1787.
The US Constitution was written by the Founding Fathers, including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and Alexander Hamilton.
The US Constitution was written to form "a more perfect union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty".
