
The United States Constitution, the oldest written constitution in operation in the world, was signed on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The signing of the four-page document by 39 delegates marked the conclusion of the Constitutional Convention, which had been convened to amend the Articles of Confederation. The convention, however, resulted in the proposal and creation of a new form of government, with the constitution serving as its fundamental framework.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | September 17, 1787 |
| Location | Independence Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Type of Document | Four-page document |
| Number of Delegates Present | 39 or 38 |
| Number of States Represented | 12 |
| Number of States Required for Ratification | 9 |
| First State to Ratify | Delaware |
| Date of First Ratification | December 7, 1787 |
| Date of First Federal Elections | December 15, 1788 |
| Date of New Government | March 4, 1789 |
| Date of Ratification of the Bill of Rights | December 15, 1791 |
| Date of Ratification by All States | May 29, 1790 |
| Oldest Signer | Benjamin Franklin, aged 81 |
| Youngest Signer | Jonathan Dayton, aged 26 |
| First Signer to Die | Benjamin Franklin, in April 1790 |
| Last Signer to Die | James Madison, in June 1836 |
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What You'll Learn

The US Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787
The Constitutional Convention was initially attended by delegates from 12 states, with Rhode Island declining to send delegates. The delegates represented approximately four million people across 13 states and aimed to create a practical and workable constitution that would meet the immediate needs of these states. The signing of the US Constitution was the culmination of a four-month-long convention, during which the delegates debated and redrafted the articles of the new Constitution. The final document was a four-page agreement that established the government of the United States.
The process of ratifying the Constitution by the individual states began after the signing. Delaware became the first state to ratify the Constitution on December 7, 1787, followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut. However, 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 led to the proposal of amendments that would become the Bill of Rights.
The Constitution was not ratified by all states until May 29, 1790, when Rhode Island, the last of the original 13 colonies, finally approved the document. The US Constitution is now the oldest written constitution in operation in the world. It has served as the fundamental framework of America's system of government and has inspired the world with its powerful vision of freedom and democracy. The signing of the US Constitution on September 17, 1787, marked a significant step in the establishment of the United States of America as a nation.
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39 delegates signed the document
The United States Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This event marked the conclusion of the Constitutional Convention, which had been convened to revise the Articles of Confederation. However, it became clear early on that a new constitution would need to be drafted to establish a stronger, more centralized government. The final document was signed by 39 delegates, representing 12 states (all except Rhode Island, which did not send any delegates).
The signing of the Constitution was a significant moment in American history, as it established the framework for the country's system of government. The document was drafted in secret by the delegates during the summer of 1787 and consisted of four pages. The bulk of the writing was done by one Founding Father, with input from other brilliant minds. The Constitution addressed key issues such as the balance of power between the central government and the states, the number of representatives in Congress for each state, and how those representatives would be elected.
The 39 delegates who signed the Constitution included George Washington, the convention's president, who signed first. The signatures were grouped by states, progressing from north to south. Other notable signatories included John Dickinson, who authorized George Read to sign on his behalf due to illness, and Benjamin Franklin, who, at 81, was the oldest signer. Franklin summed up the sentiments of those who signed the document despite their misgivings, stating that while he did not approve of every part of the Constitution, he accepted it because he "expected no better."
The Constitution faced opposition from some states, including Rhode Island, which resisted ratification due to its stance on federal control of currency and its criticism of compromises on slavery. However, supporters of the Constitution waged a hard-fought battle to secure ratification by the necessary nine out of 13 states. The first state to ratify was Delaware on December 7, 1787, followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut. The Constitution was eventually ratified by all states on May 29, 1790, when Rhode Island approved it, making it the oldest written constitution in operation in the world.
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The signing took place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The signing of the United States Constitution took place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on September 17, 1787. The signing occurred at the conclusion of the Constitutional Convention, also known as the Philadelphia Convention, which had convened on May 25, 1787. The Convention was held in the Assembly Room of the Pennsylvania State House, now known as Independence Hall. This was the same location where the Declaration of Independence had been signed.
Independence Hall in Philadelphia holds great historical significance as the birthplace of the United States Constitution. The building witnessed intense debates and deliberations among the Founding Fathers, who worked tirelessly to draft and refine the document that would establish the framework of the nation's government. The Constitutional Convention brought together some of the greatest minds of the time, including George Washington, James Madison, James Wilson, and Benjamin Franklin.
During the Convention, the delegates engaged in robust discussions and carefully considered the complex issues facing the young nation. They grappled with questions of power distribution, representation, and the balance between state and federal authority. The final document they produced was a testament to their dedication and compromise.
On September 17, 1787, 39 delegates endorsed the Constitution with their signatures. This endorsement signified the completion of their work and their agreement with the final document. The signing ceremony was preceded by a speech from Benjamin Franklin, who, despite his initial reservations about certain parts of the Constitution, strongly endorsed it. Franklin's speech captured the sentiment of the moment and emphasized the importance of unity and compromise.
The signing of the United States Constitution in Philadelphia marked a pivotal moment in the nation's history. It established a new form of government, replacing the weak central government under the Articles of Confederation. The Constitution laid out a federal organization with a system of checks and balances, ensuring that no single branch of government held too much power.
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The US Constitution is the oldest written constitution in operation
The US Constitution, signed on September 17, 1787, is the oldest written constitution that is still in use today. The document was signed by 39 delegates at the conclusion of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The convention was convened to amend the Articles of Confederation, which had been ratified several months before the British surrender at Yorktown in 1781. However, the delegates ultimately decided to draft a new form of government, resulting in the creation of the US Constitution.
The US Constitution is a four-page document that establishes the government of the United States and separates its powers into three branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. It also sets up a system of checks and balances to ensure that no one branch has too much power and divides power between the federal government and the states. The Constitution was written during a four-month-long convention, known as the Philadelphia Convention or the Constitutional Convention, which began on May 25, 1787. The convention was conducted under an oath of secrecy, and the final draft of the Constitution was presented on September 12, 1787.
The signing of the US Constitution was a significant event in the history of the nation, as it provided a framework for the country's government and ensured that the power was vested in the people. The youngest signer of the Constitution was Jonathan Dayton, aged 26, while Benjamin Franklin, aged 81, was the oldest. The Constitution did not go into effect immediately after being signed; it had to be ratified by the necessary nine out of 13 US states. Delaware was the first state to ratify the Constitution 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, the last of the original 13 colonies, approved the document.
The US Constitution has been an inspiration to the world, as it put governance in the hands of the people. It has changed the trajectory of world history and continues to be a powerful vision of freedom and democracy. The original signed document is stored at the National Archives in Washington, D.C., and it remains a fundamental framework for America's system of government.
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The document established the government of the United States
The United States Constitution, signed on September 17, 1787, is the country's fundamental framework of government. It is the world's shortest and oldest national constitution. The document, comprising seven articles, establishes a federal system with three branches of government: the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
The legislative branch is responsible for making laws, while the executive branch executes them, and the judicial branch interprets them. This system of checks and balances ensures that no single branch holds excessive power. The Constitution also divides power between the federal government and the individual states, outlining their respective purposes and duties.
The process of drafting the Constitution began with the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787. The initial goal was to amend the existing Articles of Confederation, but it soon became clear that a new constitution was needed to address issues such as the balance of power between the central government and the states, representation in Congress, and the election of representatives. The final document was signed by 38 of the 41 delegates present, and it was ratified by the states over the following months.
The Constitution also includes a Bill of Rights, which comprises the first ten amendments. These amendments were introduced to address concerns about the lack of protection for certain rights, such as freedom of speech, religion, and the press. The Bill of Rights was ratified on December 15, 1791, and there have been 17 additional amendments since then. The Constitution is a living document that has evolved over time to meet the changing needs of the nation.
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Frequently asked questions
The US Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787.
The US Constitution was signed at the State House (now known as Independence Hall) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
39 delegates signed the US Constitution, including George Washington, John Dickinson, and Benjamin Franklin.
The US Constitution established the government of the United States and separated the powers of that government into three branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. It also set up a system of checks and balances to ensure that no one branch had too much power and divided power between the states and the federal government.
The US Constitution was ratified by the necessary nine out of 13 states. The first state to ratify was Delaware on December 7, 1787. The last state to ratify was Rhode Island on May 29, 1790.







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