Isabella Carter
The U.S. Constitution was officially voted on and signed on September 17, 1787, by 38 or 39 delegates from 12 states. The vote took place in Philadelphia, where the Constitutional Convention had been meeting since May of that year. The Constitution was then sent to the states for debate and ratification votes. On June 21, 1788, New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify the Constitution, making it the official framework of the U.S. government.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date the U.S. Constitution was signed | September 17, 1787 |
| Number of delegates who signed the U.S. Constitution | 39 |
| First state to ratify the Constitution | Delaware, December 7, 1787 |
| Date the Constitution became the official framework of the government of the U.S. | June 21, 1788 |
| Number of states required to ratify the Constitution | 9 out of 13 |
| Date the first federal elections were set | December 15, 1788 - January 10, 1789 |
| Date the new government was set to begin | March 4, 1789 |
| First President of the U.S. | George Washington |
| First Vice President of the U.S. | John Adams |
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What You'll Learn
The US Constitution was ratified on June 21, 1788
The Continental Congress had adopted the Articles of Confederation as the "first constitution" on November 15, 1777, which came into effect on March 1, 1781. This document established a loose confederation of the 13 independent states, granting the Confederation Congress the power to make rules and request funds from the states. However, it lacked enforcement powers and the ability to regulate commerce or print money, leading to concerns about the country's stability.
In response, Alexander Hamilton led the call for a constitutional convention to reevaluate the nation's governing document. On May 25, 1787, representatives from all 13 states convened in Philadelphia. The convention was initially tasked with amending the Articles of Confederation, but ultimately resulted in the creation of a new form of government. After months of debate and compromise, the new US Constitution was signed by 38 out of 41 delegates on September 17, 1787.
The document was then sent to the states for ratification, requiring approval by nine of the 13 states to come into effect. Delaware was the first state to ratify the Constitution on December 7, 1787, followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, and South Carolina. The ratification process was contentious, with Anti-Federalists opposing the creation of a powerful central government and calling for a bill of rights.
Finally, on June 21, 1788, New Hampshire cast the decisive ninth vote in favor of ratification. This triggered the official implementation of the Constitution, and the first federal elections were held from December 15, 1788, to January 10, 1789. In the nation's first presidential election, George Washington was elected President, and John Adams became the first Vice President.
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9 of 13 states needed to ratify the Constitution
The United States Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, by 38 or 39 delegates out of 41 present. However, the document would not be binding until it was ratified by nine of the 13 existing states. The first state to ratify the Constitution was Delaware on December 7, 1787, followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut.
The ratification process was contentious, with Anti-Federalists fighting hard against the Constitution because it created a powerful central government and lacked a bill of rights. The Federalists, on the other hand, believed that a strong central government was necessary to face the nation's challenges. The tide turned in Massachusetts, where a "vote now, amend later" compromise helped secure victory, and eventually, the required nine states.
On June 21, 1788, New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify the Constitution, making it the official framework of the government of the United States. This date is considered the day the Constitution was officially voted on and ratified.
Following New Hampshire's ratification, Congress set dates for the first federal elections and the official implementation of the Constitution. Elections were held from December 15, 1788, to January 10, 1789, and the new government began on March 4, 1789. In the nation's first presidential election, George Washington was elected President, and John Adams was elected Vice President.
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Delaware was the first state to ratify it
The US Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, by 38 or 39 delegates out of 41 present. It was then sent to the states for debate and ratification votes. The document would only become binding once ratified by nine of the 13 existing states.
Delaware was the first state to ratify the Constitution on December 7, 1787. The state's vote was followed by those of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut. On June 21, 1788, New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify the Constitution, making it the official framework of the government of the United States of America.
The road to ratification was challenging, with Anti-Federalists resisting the Constitution due to its establishment of a powerful central government and lack of a bill of rights. However, Federalists argued for a strong central government as a necessity to address the nation's challenges. A compromise was reached in Massachusetts, where the "vote now, amend later" strategy helped secure victory, paving the way for the Constitution's eventual ratification.
The Constitution's ratification was a significant milestone in the history of the United States, marking a shift from the Articles of Confederation, which had governed the country prior to ratification. The Articles of Confederation had established a "league of friendship" between the 13 independent states but lacked enforcement powers and the ability to regulate commerce or print money. The successful ratification of the Constitution laid the foundation for a stronger, more centralized government in the United States.
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The Constitution was signed by 38/39 delegates
The U.S. Constitution was signed by 38 delegates on September 17, 1787, with George Read signing on behalf of John Dickinson of Delaware, who was absent, bringing the total to 39 signatures. The signing took place at the conclusion of the Constitutional Convention, which had convened in Philadelphia on May 25, 1787, with representatives from all 13 states. The initial purpose of the convention was to amend the Articles of Confederation, which had served as the country's first constitution after the Revolutionary War. However, the delegates ended up drafting a completely new form of government.
The Constitution was not immediately enacted after the signing. Per Article VII, it required ratification by nine of the 13 states to become binding. Delaware was the first state to ratify the Constitution on December 7, 1787, followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut. On June 21, 1788, New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify, making the Constitution the official framework of the U.S. government. The remaining four states eventually ratified the Constitution by May 29, 1790.
The ratification process was not without opposition. The Anti-Federalists fought against the Constitution due to their concerns about centralizing power and the lack of a bill of rights. However, the Federalists, who supported a strong central government, managed to secure enough votes by promising amendments to protect individual liberties. This compromise played a crucial role in gaining the necessary ratifications.
The Constitution has endured as one of the longest-lived and most emulated constitutions worldwide. It has undergone amendments over time to address various issues, such as the method of choosing a president, the length of a presidential term, and the protection of rights like freedom of speech, religion, and the press. The process of amending the Constitution is outlined in Article V, ensuring a systematic approach to any changes.
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The first federal elections were held in December 1788
The US Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, by 38 or 39 delegates from 12 states. However, it was not yet binding, as Article VII stated that it would only come into effect once it had been ratified by nine of the 13 existing states.
The first state to ratify the Constitution was Delaware on December 7, 1787. By June 21, 1788, nine states had ratified the Constitution, making it the official framework of the US government.
The first federal elections were held between December 15, 1788, and January 10, 1789. In the nation's first presidential election, George Washington was elected President, and John Adams was elected Vice President. The new government was set to begin on March 4, 1789.
The road to ratification was not easy. The Anti-Federalists opposed the Constitution because it created a powerful central government, and it lacked a bill of rights. However, the Federalists, who believed in a strong central government, eventually won enough states over to their side. The "'vote now, amend later'" compromise helped secure victory in Massachusetts and the final holdout states.
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Frequently asked questions
On June 21, 1788, when New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify it.
Nine out of the thirteen states needed to ratify the Constitution.
All 13 states ratified the Constitution by May 29, 1790.
The US Constitution was drafted on September 17, 1787, and signed by 38 or 39 delegates from twelve states.
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