Malcolm Rivera
The United States Constitution and the Declaration of Independence are two of the most important documents in American history. Both documents were signed at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and have played a significant role in shaping the country's future and spreading democratic ideals worldwide. The Declaration of Independence, penned in 1776, was a list of grievances against the King of England, justifying the separation from British rule. The Constitution, written and signed in 1787, established a new form of governance, giving power to the people and creating a powerful central government.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year the Declaration of Independence was written | 1776 |
| Year the Constitution was written | 1787 |
| Place the Declaration of Independence was signed | Independence Hall, Philadelphia |
| Place the Constitution was written | Assembly Room of the Pennsylvania State House, Philadelphia |
| Place the Constitution was signed | Independence Hall, Philadelphia |
| Date the Constitution was signed | September 17, 1787 |
| Number of delegates who signed the Constitution | 38 |
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What You'll Learn
The Declaration of Independence was written in 1776
The document was signed at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, which was then known as the Pennsylvania State House. This historic building witnessed not only the signing of the Declaration of Independence but also the writing and signing of the Constitution over a decade later.
The Constitution, drafted and signed in 1787, was a remarkable achievement in its own right. It established a powerful central government, balancing the interests and views of the individual states. The delegates who crafted this document, including George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, and James Madison, were wary of centralized power and loyal to their respective states. They created a system of government that has endured and been emulated worldwide.
The process of ratifying the Constitution is also noteworthy. Rather than seeking approval from state legislatures, the founders called for special ratifying conventions in each state. This approach bypassed potential resistance from state legislators reluctant to cede power to a national government. Ratification by nine of the thirteen states was required to enact the new government, and this threshold was eventually met, paving the way for a new era in American governance.
The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were both signed at the same location in Philadelphia, now known as Independence Hall. This hall stands as a testament to the foundational moments in American history, where democratic ideals were enshrined and a new nation was forged. These documents continue to inspire and shape not just the United States but also the spread of democratic values and principles around the globe.
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The Constitution was written and signed in 1787
The United States Constitution was written and signed in 1787, just a few years after the Revolutionary War. At that time, no country in the world had ever allowed its citizens to select their own form of government, much less a democratic one. The Constitution was penned during the Philadelphia Convention, now known as the Constitutional Convention, which convened from May 25 to September 17, 1787.
The Constitutional Convention assembled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in May 1787. General George Washington was unanimously elected president of the convention. The delegates were tasked with revising the existing government, but they ended up creating a completely new one. Representing a wide range of interests and views, they crafted compromises and set terms for ratifying the Constitution. They called for special ratifying conventions in each state, bypassing the state legislatures, as they knew their members would be reluctant to give up power to a national government. Ratification by nine of the thirteen states was required to enact the new government.
The Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, by 38 delegates, with George Reed signing on behalf of John Dickinson of Delaware, bringing the total number of signatures to 39. The delegates in the hall that day formally signed the Constitution, with the exception of Mason, Gerry, and Randolph, who withheld their signatures. The convention adjourned at 4 pm, and the delegates shared a farewell dinner at City Tavern.
The Constitution was a charter of government that came to be ratified by the states, and it continues to be the supreme law of the land. It has endured as one of the longest-lived and most emulated constitutions in the world. It 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" to the citizens of the United States.
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Both documents were signed at Independence Hall
The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution are two documents that have played an important role in American history. The Declaration of Independence, written in 1776, was a list of grievances against the King of England that justified the separation from British rule. The Constitution, written and signed in 1787, was a charter of government that was ratified by the states and remains the supreme law of the land.
The Declaration of Independence was signed at Independence Hall, marking the official declaration of independence from Great Britain. This hall is located just steps away from where the National Constitution Center now stands. The building has since been renamed Independence Hall to commemorate its significant role in American history.
The Constitution was also written and signed in the same location during the Philadelphia Convention, also known as the Constitutional Convention, which took place from May 25 to September 17, 1787. On the final day of the convention, the delegates in the hall formally signed the Constitution, marking the establishment of a new government for the United States.
The process of drafting and signing the Constitution was not without its challenges. There were concerns about centralized power, and the delegates represented a wide range of interests and views. However, they successfully crafted compromises and created a powerful central government that has endured and been emulated worldwide.
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The Constitution was written during the Philadelphia Convention
The United States Constitution was written and signed in Philadelphia in the Assembly Room of the Pennsylvania State House, now known as Independence Hall. This was the same place the Declaration of Independence was signed. The Constitution was written during the Philadelphia Convention, now known as the Constitutional Convention, which convened from May 25 to September 17, 1787.
The Constitutional Convention was held in Philadelphia, with delegates from various states meeting to revise the existing government structure. The convention was convened due to concerns about the Articles of Confederation, which gave the Confederation Congress rule-making and funding powers but lacked enforcement powers and the ability to regulate commerce or print money. The young country faced disputes over territory, war pensions, taxation, and trade, which threatened its stability.
The Philadelphia Convention began on May 25, 1787, with George Washington unanimously elected as its president. The delegates, representing diverse interests and views, worked to create a powerful central government while addressing concerns about centralized power. They crafted compromises and developed a new form of government, resulting in the United States Constitution.
The Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, by 38 delegates, with an additional signature by George Reed on behalf of the absent John Dickinson of Delaware, bringing the total to 39 signatures. The delegates, weary from the intense deliberations but satisfied with their achievement, shared a farewell dinner at City Tavern to celebrate. The Constitution was then ratified by the states, becoming the supreme law of the land and serving as an inspiration for democratic ideals worldwide.
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The Constitution was ratified by nine of the 13 states
The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were both signed in Philadelphia, in the Assembly Room of the Pennsylvania State House, now known as Independence Hall. The Declaration of Independence was written in 1776 as a list of grievances against the King of England to justify the separation from British rule. The Constitution was written and signed in 1787 and was a charter of government that came to be ratified by the states. It is now the supreme law of the land.
The Constitution has been an inspiration, changing the trajectory of world history by putting governance in the hands of the people. It is the world's shortest and oldest national constitution and has been the most emulated and longest-lived. It has also inspired the world through its powerful vision of freedom. The Supreme Court was initially made up of jurists intimately connected with the framing of the Constitution, such as John Jay (New York), who served as the first chief justice. The English Bill of Rights (1689) inspired the American Bill of Rights, influencing the rights guaranteed by the Federal Bill of Rights. The ideas of unalienable rights, the separation of powers, and the structure of the Constitution were influenced by European Enlightenment thinkers like Montesquieu and John Locke.
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Frequently asked questions
The Declaration of Independence was written in Philadelphia.
The Declaration of Independence was written in 1776.
The Constitution was written in the Assembly Room of the Pennsylvania State House, now known as Independence Hall, in Philadelphia.
The Constitution was written in 1787.
Both documents have played an important role in American history and the spread of democratic ideals around the world. They were both signed at Independence Hall.
