Isabella Carter
The United States Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The signing of the document occurred at the conclusion of the Constitutional Convention, with 39 delegates endorsing the Constitution. The convention's secretary, William Jackson, added a note to verify four amendments made by hand to the final document and signed it to authenticate its validity. The U.S. Constitution outlines the nation's federal government and describes how its three branches (legislative, executive, and judicial) should function.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 17 September 1787 |
| Location | Independence Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Number of Signatures | 39 |
| Number of Signers | 39 |
| Youngest Signer | Jonathan Dayton, 26 |
| Oldest Signer | Benjamin Franklin, 81 |
| Number of States Represented | 12 |
| Number of States Needed for Ratification | 9 |
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What You'll Learn
The US Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787
The Articles of Confederation had granted the Confederation Congress rule-making and funding request powers, but it lacked enforcement authority and the ability to regulate commerce or print money. This led to disputes over territory, war pensions, taxation, and trade, threatening the country's stability. Recognizing the need for a stronger central government, the delegates embarked on drafting a new constitution.
The final draft of the US Constitution was presented to the convention on September 12, 1787, and five days later, on September 17, the document was signed. Of the 74 chosen delegates, 39 signed the Constitution, representing 11 states, with the lone remaining delegate from New York, Alexander Hamilton, also providing his consent. The document was then submitted to the Congress of the Confederation within three days of its signing.
The signing of the US Constitution was a significant achievement, as it laid out the framework for the nation's federal government and the functioning of its three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. The signers of the document were a diverse group, with many having participated in the American Revolution, signed the Declaration of Independence, or served in the military. The Constitution also served as a compromise between varying interests and views, ensuring the unity and stability of the young nation.
The Day the US Constitution Was Signed
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39 delegates signed the document
On September 17, 1787, the US Constitution was signed by 39 delegates representing 12 states ( Rhode Island being the only state not present). The signing took place in Philadelphia, where the Constitutional Convention had been meeting since May of that year. The document, which would become the oldest written national constitution still in use, established the framework for the United States government and the rights and liberties of its citizens.
The 39 signatories included some of the most prominent figures in American history, such as George Washington, who presided over the Convention and would become the first president of the United States. Other notable signers included Benjamin Franklin, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Rutledge. These men, along with the other delegates, represented a diverse range of backgrounds, including lawyers, merchants, farmers, and revolutionaries.
Not all of the delegates present at the Convention signed the document immediately. Some, like George Washington, signed on the day of completion, while others added their signatures in the weeks and months that followed. The last signer was Abraham Baldwin, a delegate from Georgia, who affixed his signature on July 26, 1790.
The signatures of these 39 individuals carried significant weight. By signing the Constitution, they were not only affirming their agreement with the document's contents but also pledging their honor and reputation to support and uphold it. This act of signing was a public commitment to the principles of the Constitution and the creation of a more perfect union. Their bravery and foresight laid the foundation for the world's longest-standing constitutional democracy.
Who Signed the Constitution and When?
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The signing took place at Independence Hall, Philadelphia
The signing of the US Constitution took place at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Independence Hall is a historic civic building that was completed in 1753 and served as the first capitol of the colonial-era Province of Pennsylvania. It was initially called the Pennsylvania State House and was the principal meeting place of the Second Continental Congress, a body of representatives from each of the thirteen British North American colonies. The Second Continental Congress convened in Independence Hall from 1775 to 1781 during the American Revolutionary War. On June 14, 1775, the Continental Army was founded inside Independence Hall, and George Washington was unanimously appointed as its commander-in-chief.
Independence Hall is also where the Declaration of Independence was debated, ratified, and signed on July 4, 1776, which is now celebrated as Independence Day. The Articles of Confederation were also ratified in Independence Hall in 1781. In the summer of 1787, the Constitutional Convention was held in Independence Hall, where the US Constitution was debated, drafted, and ratified. The final document was engrossed by Jacob Shallus and was taken up on Monday, September 17, 1787, at the convention's final session. The Constitution was signed in the Assembly Room of Independence Hall, which is considered the heart of the building.
The signing of the US Constitution was an extraordinary achievement, with a total of 39 signatures, including George Reed, who signed for the absent John Dickinson of Delaware. Benjamin Franklin, one of the Founding Fathers, summed up the sentiment of the delegates, saying, "There are several parts of this Constitution which I do not at present approve, but I am not sure I shall never approve them." He accepted the Constitution despite his misgivings, recognizing the need for compromise and unity.
The US Constitution is now the longest-standing written and codified national constitution in the world. Independence Hall has been designated a World Heritage Site and is considered a symbol of the nation's history. It has been featured on commemorative stamps and coins, such as the 1975 and 1976 Kennedy half-dollar and the 2003 $2 bill. The building has also been used as a venue for speeches and films, such as the 1989 film "A More Perfect Union," which portrays the events of the 1787 Constitutional Convention.
Massachusetts' Role in Signing the Constitution
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The Constitutional Convention began in May 1787
The US Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The signing occurred at the conclusion of the four-month-long Constitutional Convention, which began in May 1787.
The Constitutional Convention was convened in response to concerns about the Articles of Confederation, America's first constitution. James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and George Washington feared that the young country was on the brink of collapse due to disputes over territory, war pensions, taxation, and trade. They believed that a stronger central government was needed to provide order and stability.
On May 25, 1787, delegates representing every state except Rhode Island assembled at Philadelphia's Pennsylvania State House, which later became known as Independence Hall. The delegates included some of the country's greatest minds, such as Revolutionary War hero George Washington, who was unanimously elected as the convention president. During the convention, the delegates devised a federal organization with a system of checks and balances.
The final draft of the Constitution, containing seven articles, a preamble, and a closing endorsement, was presented to the convention on September 12. Several of the delegates were disappointed with the result, which was a series of compromises. Some delegates left before the ceremony, and three others refused to sign. However, on September 17, 39 delegates endorsed the Constitution, representing 12 states. The signing of the Constitution marked the conclusion of the Constitutional Convention and the beginning of the process of ratification by the individual states.
Who Refused to Sign the Constitution?
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The US Constitution is difficult to amend
The US Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, and submitted to the Congress of the Confederation three days later. The document was crafted by delegates representing different interests and views, and it stands as one of the longest-lived and most emulated constitutions globally.
Amending the US Constitution:
The US Constitution is widely regarded as one of the most difficult constitutions in the world to amend. Since its drafting in 1787, it has only been amended 27 times, with the last amendment being ratified in 1992. Amending the Constitution was intentionally made challenging by its framers, who wanted it to be an "enduring" document. The process of amending the Constitution is outlined in Article V, which requires a two-thirds majority vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, or a constitutional convention called for by two-thirds of state legislatures.
The high bar for amendments ensures that only significant changes affecting all Americans or securing citizens' rights are made. However, this has also led to criticisms, with some arguing that it has allowed for democratic backsliding and the persistence of undemocratic institutions. The difficulty in amending the Constitution has resulted in a drought of amendments over the past few decades, leading to a sentiment that the Constitution should be changed through means other than formal alterations.
The amendment process is also time-consuming and has been described as contributing to gridlock in Congress. Despite the challenges, proponents of amendments remain persistent, with approximately 11,848 measures proposed to amend the Constitution from 1789 through January 3, 2019. However, the close political divide in Congress makes it difficult for many proposed amendments to succeed.
The Constitution and Freemasons: Their Influence and Legacy
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Frequently asked questions
The US Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787.
The US Constitution was signed at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
39 delegates signed the US Constitution.
The signing of the US Constitution was significant because it established a powerful central government and outlined the framework for the nation's federal government, including the functions of its legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
