Omar Bennett
The United States Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This day is now celebrated as Constitution Day or Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, commemorating the formation and signing of the United States Constitution by 39 state representatives at the Constitutional Convention. The United States Constitution is the oldest written national constitution still in operation and has served as a model for the constitutions of many other nations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 17th of September, 1787 |
| Location | Pennsylvania State House, Philadelphia |
| Signatories | 39 state representatives and Founding Fathers |
| Commemorated | Constitution Day and Citizenship Day |
| Yearly Celebrations | 17th-23rd of September is Constitution Week |
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What You'll Learn
The US Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787
The Constitutional Convention was convened due to dissatisfaction with the Articles of Confederation and the need for a stronger, centralized government. The resulting document, the US Constitution, was drafted in secret behind locked doors guarded by sentries. It was written in the same location where the Declaration of Independence was signed and where George Washington received his commission as Commander of the Continental Army.
Of the 55 delegates attending the convention, 39 signed, while three delegates dissented. Notably, two of America's "founding fathers", Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, were not present as they were representing their country in France and Great Britain, respectively. Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania, at 81, was the oldest delegate, while Jonathon Dayton of New Jersey, at 26, was the youngest.
Constitution Day, also known as Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, is observed nationally as a day for Americans to commemorate the signing of the Constitution and to learn more about this foundational document. The day also recognizes those who have become citizens by naturalization or birth. In schools, Constitution Day is marked by educational programs and discussions about the Constitution and the rights it protects.
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The signing took place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The United States Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This date was chosen to commemorate the last meeting of the delegates to the Constitutional Convention, who signed and presented the document to the American public. The signing took place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the same Pennsylvania State House where the Declaration of Independence was signed, and where George Washington received his commission as Commander of the Continental Army. Now called Independence Hall, the building still stands today on Independence Mall in Philadelphia, directly across from the National Constitution Center.
The Constitutional Convention was convened in response to dissatisfaction with the Articles of Confederation and the need for a stronger, centralized government. The proposed Constitution was submitted to the states for approval after four months of secret debate and many compromises. The Constitution was eventually ratified, though it took until 1788 for it to be ratified by the necessary nine states.
The US Constitution established the framework for the government of the United States and the rights and freedoms that "We the People" enjoy today. It is the oldest written national constitution still in operation, and it has served as a model for the constitutions of many other nations. The document was signed by 39 state representatives at the Constitutional Convention, though two of America's "founding fathers", Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, were not present as they were representing their country in France and Great Britain, respectively.
Constitution Day, or Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, is a national observance that commemorates the formation and signing of the United States Constitution. It was established in 2004 by Senator Robert Byrd, who believed that American students lacked significant knowledge about the Constitution. The legislation requires that all educational institutions receiving federal funds implement educational programs related to the US Constitution on September 17 of each year.
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39 state representatives signed the document
On September 17, 1787, 39 state representatives signed the United States Constitution, establishing the government of the United States and the rights and freedoms that "We the People" enjoy today. This day, known as Constitution Day, commemorates the signing of the Constitution, which took place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at the Constitutional Convention.
The Constitutional Convention was convened in response to dissatisfaction with the Articles of Confederation and the need for a stronger, centralized government. The document was drafted in secret over a long, hot summer of discussion, debate, and deliberation. The delegates to the convention, including George Washington, worked behind locked doors guarded by sentries to prepare the Constitution.
Of the 55 delegates attending the convention, 39 signed the document, while three delegates dissented. Notably, two of America's "'founding fathers", Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, were not present at the signing as they were representing their country in France and Great Britain, respectively. Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania, at 81, was the oldest delegate, and Jonathon Dayton of New Jersey, at 26, was the youngest.
The signing of the Constitution marked the end of the convention and the beginning of the process of presenting the document to the American public and seeking its approval. Eleven days after the signing, the Congress passed the proposal on to conventions of delegates chosen in each state, where the Constitution was thoroughly discussed, debated, and eventually ratified.
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Two Founding Fathers didn't sign the Constitution
On September 17, 1787, the Founding Fathers signed the United States Constitution, the most influential document in American history. The signing of the Constitution established the framework of the US government and the rights and freedoms that "We the People" enjoy today.
Constitution Day, celebrated on September 17, commemorates the formation and signing of the United States Constitution. The day also recognizes those who have become citizens of the United States by naturalization or birth. The United States Constitution is the oldest written national constitution still in operation and has served as a model for the constitutions of many other nations.
Out of the 55 delegates who attended the Constitutional Convention, only 39 signed the Constitution, and three delegates dissented. Interestingly, two of America's Founding Fathers, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, were not among the signatories. Thomas Jefferson was representing his country in France at the time, while John Adams was doing the same in Great Britain.
The United States Constitution was prepared in secret, behind locked doors guarded by sentries. The delegates to the Constitutional Convention met for the last time on September 17, 1787, to sign the document and present it to the American public. The Constitution was written in the same Pennsylvania State House, now known as Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence was signed, and where George Washington received his commission as Commander of the Continental Army.
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The US Constitution is the oldest written national constitution still in operation
The US Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, and it is Constitution Day that commemorates the formation and signing of the United States Constitution. Constitution Day became a national observance in 2004 when Senator Robert Byrd passed a bill designating September 17 as the day for citizens to commemorate the signing of the U.S. Constitution.
While the US Constitution is the oldest written national constitution still in operation, some scholars note that the United Kingdom and San Marino have some written governing documents still in effect that predate the 1789 enactment of the U.S. Constitution. The UK's Magna Carta, for instance, was written in the 13th century and is considered a fundamental document to the UK Constitution. However, unlike the US Constitution, the UK Constitution is largely unwritten, pulling from a collection of laws, practices, and texts that date back centuries.
Similarly, San Marino's government is based on various documents, including a series of written laws enacted in 1600. However, San Marino's constitution is not codified, meaning it doesn't contain laws, rules, and regulations in an organized system. As such, the US Constitution is often considered the oldest written national constitution still in operation, serving as a model for the constitutions of many other nations.
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Frequently asked questions
The United States Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787.
The Constitution was signed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in what is now called Independence Hall.
39 state representatives signed the Constitution, though there were 55 delegates in attendance at the Constitutional Convention.
Constitution Day, or Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, is a national observance that falls on September 17 to commemorate the signing of the U.S. Constitution.
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