Jonah Patel
September 17, 1787, is a significant date in the history of the United States as it is the day the U.S. Constitution was signed in Philadelphia. This date is now celebrated as Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, commemorating the signing of the four-page document that established the government of the United States and created a representative republic with three separate, but co-equal, branches of federal government.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | September 17, 1787 |
| Significance | This date marks the day the United States Constitution was signed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. |
| Location | Independence Hall, Philadelphia |
| Signatories | 39 delegates from 12 states: New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia |
| Key Figures | George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton |
| Result | The US Constitution established the federal government and outlined the rights and responsibilities of the government and the people. |
| Amendments | 27 amendments have been made to the Constitution since its signing. |
| Current Relevance | Constitution Day is celebrated annually on September 17 to commemorate the signing of the Constitution. |
| Other Names | Constitution Day, Citizenship Day |
| Legal Holiday | Recognized as a legal public holiday in some states, such as Connecticut and Pennsylvania. |
| Historical Context | The Constitution was written and signed in a period of great political change and uncertainty following the American Revolution and the creation of the Articles of Confederation. |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
The US Constitution was signed
The Constitutional Convention, led by George Washington, met to revise the Articles of Confederation. However, they ultimately abandoned that framework and created the Constitution, a new set of laws. The delegates clashed over state sovereignty and power distribution, but the final draft of the Constitution was signed, establishing a representative republic with three separate but co-equal branches of the federal government: the executive, legislative, and judiciary. This system of checks and balances safeguarded the interests of majority rule, minority rights, liberty, equality, and federal and state governments.
The Constitution was then sent to the thirteen states for ratification, with the hope for nearly unanimous approval. The public debate over the Constitution intensified, with arguments for and against the document resurfacing. Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay, writing under the pseudonym "Publius," defended the proposed plan in a series of newspaper articles later collected as the Federalist Papers. The Constitution was officially adopted when it was ratified by New Hampshire, the ninth state to do so, on June 21, 1788, and it has been in operation since 1789.
Since its adoption, the Constitution has been the guiding document for the nation's government, with over 11,000 proposed amendments, but only 27 signed into law, showcasing the selectiveness of the amendment process. The Constitution's endurance and adaptability to meet the changing needs of the nation are a testament to its significance and the wisdom of its framers.
The US Constitution: Everlasting and Unparalleled
You may want to see also
It was sent to 13 states for ratification
On September 17, 1787, 38 to 39 delegates signed the final draft of the U.S. Constitution, now known as Constitution Day. The delegates, who represented 13 states, met in Philadelphia to revise the Articles of Confederation, which was America's first constitution. However, they soon realized that it would be necessary to write an entirely new set of laws. Thus, the Constitutional Convention drafted a new constitution that established a powerful central government.
The delegates set the terms for ratifying the Constitution, bypassing the state legislatures as they were wary of centralized power and loyal to their states. Instead, they called for special ratifying conventions in each state. The Constitution specified that at least nine of the 13 states needed to ratify the new form of government.
The first state to ratify the Constitution was Delaware on December 7, 1787, followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut. However, some states opposed the Constitution because it did not include a bill of rights to protect freedom of speech, religion, and the press. The ratification campaign was challenging, with only six of the 13 states initially reporting a pro-Constitution majority. The Federalists, who supported a strong central government, had to convince at least three more states to ratify the Constitution.
The tide turned in Massachusetts, where a "vote now, amend later" compromise helped secure victory. Eventually, on June 21, 1788, the Constitution was officially adopted by the United States when New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify it. The Constitution continued to evolve, with Madison introducing 17 amendments born from the Massachusetts Compromise. Twelve of these amendments were sent to the states for ratification in 1789, and ten of them, known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified in 1791.
Qualities of a Representative: Key Characteristics to Look For
You may want to see also
The Constitutional Convention met for the final time
The delegates, who had originally met in Philadelphia to revise the Articles of Confederation, soon realised that it would be necessary to write an entirely new set of laws. The resulting Constitution was drafted in secret over the summer of 1787, with James Madison's notes forming the largest single source of materials for the final document.
The Constitution was then sent to the thirteen states for ratification, with at least nine states required to approve the new form of government. The public debate over the Constitution was just beginning, with arguments for and against the document resurfacing as the states called their own ratifying conventions. Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay, writing under the pseudonym Publius, defended the proposed plan in a series of newspaper articles, later collected as the Federalist Papers.
The Constitution was officially adopted by the United States when it was ratified by New Hampshire on June 21, 1788, the ninth state to do so. It has been in operation since 1789 and is the world's longest-surviving written charter of government. Since then, there have been over 11,000 proposed amendments, with only 27 signed into law.
Executive Branch: How Long Do Appointments Typically Last?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The US government was born
On September 17, 1787, the United States Constitution was signed, marking the birth of the US government and establishing the country as a democratic republic. This event, which took place in Philadelphia, is now commemorated annually as Constitution Day and Citizenship Day.
The Constitution was drafted by delegates to the Constitutional Convention, which was led by George Washington and included influential figures such as James Madison, later known as the "Father of our Constitution." The delegates met in secret, and instead of revising the Articles of Confederation as originally intended, they decided to create an entirely new set of laws.
The final draft of the Constitution was signed by 39 of the 55 delegates at the Constitutional Congress, with only three refusing to sign as dissenters. The document established a representative republic with three separate but co-equal branches of federal government: the executive, legislative, and judiciary. It implemented a system of checks and balances to ensure that the government served its citizens and protected their rights.
The Constitution specified that at least nine states were required to ratify the new form of government, and it was officially adopted by the United States when it was ratified by New Hampshire on June 21, 1788, becoming the ninth state to do so. The Constitution has since been in operation since 1789 and is the world's longest-surviving written charter of government.
Watergate Scandal: Constitutional Crisis and Presidential Impeachment
You may want to see also
It's celebrated as Constitution Day and Citizenship Day
September 17, 1787, is a significant date in American history as it marks the day the Founding Fathers signed the United States Constitution. This document, drafted in secret, established the framework for the government of the United States and outlined the rights and freedoms of its citizens. It is considered the most influential document in American history, and its signing is celebrated annually as Constitution Day and Citizenship Day.
Constitution Day, celebrated on September 17, is a day for US citizens to commemorate the signing of the Constitution and to recognize the blessings of liberty and their responsibilities as citizens. The day also serves as a reminder for citizens to respect and defend the values established by the Founding Fathers. Constitution Day became a national observance in 2004 when Congress passed a bill designating September 17 as the day to honor the signing of the Constitution and to educate citizens about their founding document. The bill's chief sponsor, Senator Robert Byrd, believed that all citizens should understand their rights as outlined in the Constitution.
The Constitution itself was the result of a Constitutional Convention called in response to dissatisfaction with the Articles of Confederation and the need for a stronger centralized government. The convention was led by George Washington, who was unanimously selected as the president of the convention. The delegates debated and clashed over issues of state sovereignty and power distribution, eventually realizing that a new set of laws was necessary.
The final draft of the Constitution was signed by 39 of the 55 delegates at the Constitutional Congress, with only three refusing to sign as dissenters. The document established the government of the United States and guaranteed the rights and freedoms of its citizens. It has been amended 27 times since its signing, with over 11,000 proposed amendments, reflecting the selectiveness of the law-making process.
Who Really Controls the Senate: Chief Officer's Powers Explained
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
On this date, 39 delegates signed the United States Constitution, creating the most enduring form of democracy.
It is a four-page document that established the government of the United States and is the world's longest-surviving written charter of government.
The Constitution is based on the idea that the government of the United States exists to serve its citizens, as affirmed by its first three words: "We the People".
September 17 is designated as Constitution Day and Citizenship Day.
James Madison, later known as the "Father of our Constitution", was among the most influential delegates at the Constitutional Convention. George Washington was selected unanimously as the president of the convention.
![Founding Fathers [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71f9-HsS5nL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
