Omar Bennett
The U.S. Constitution, the world's oldest national constitution, was written and signed in 1787. It was ratified in 1788 when New Hampshire became the ninth of 13 states to approve it. The Constitution was the result of a long and arduous process that began with the Articles of Confederation, America's first constitution, which was ratified in 1781. The Articles gave little power to the central government, and it soon became clear that a stronger, more centralized government was needed. The Constitution has been amended 27 times since its ratification, with the first ten amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, being introduced in 1791.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of signing | September 17, 1787 |
| Number of delegates who signed | 38 (39 including George Reed, who signed for John Dickinson of Delaware) |
| Date it became official framework of the government of the United States of America | June 21, 1788 |
| Number of states that ratified the Constitution by this date | 9 out of 13 |
| Date the new government was set to begin | March 4, 1789 |
| Date of the nation's first presidential election | Monday, December 15, 1788 |
| Date the first Congress was set to convene | Wednesday, March 4, 1789 |
| Date the first president was elected | Wednesday, February 4, 1789 |
| Date the first senators and representatives were chosen | Wednesday, January 7, 1789 |
| Date the first 10 amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified | December 15, 1791 |
| Date the Twentieth Amendment was passed | 1933 |
| Date the Twenty-second Amendment was passed | 1951 |
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What You'll Learn
The signing of the US Constitution
The US Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This four-page document established the government of the United States and outlined a new form of republican government with three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial.
The Constitutional Convention that led to the signing of the Constitution began in May 1787. The convention was convened to revise the Articles of Confederation, which established a weak central government. However, it became clear that a new frame of government was needed, and the Constitution was drafted in secret over four months.
The signing of the Constitution was preceded by a speech from Benjamin Franklin, who, at 81 years old, was the oldest signer. Franklin's speech acknowledged the imperfections of the Constitution but argued for its acceptance:
> "There are several parts of this Constitution which I do not at present approve, but I am not sure I shall never approve them. [...] I doubt too whether any other Convention we can obtain, may be able to make a better Constitution. For when you assemble a number of men to have the advantage of their joint wisdom, you inevitably assemble with those men, all their prejudices, their passions, their errors of opinion, their local interests, and their selfish views."
Of the 41 men in the room, 39 signed the document, with George Read signing for an absent John Dickinson. The three dissenters—Elbridge Gerry, George Mason, and Edmund Randolph—spoke during the debate and explained why they would not sign. The signing of the Constitution was a significant step in the formation of the United States, and the document has been amended over time to reflect the evolving nature of the nation's government and society.
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Ratification by the states
The US Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, by 39 of the 42 delegates present at the convention. However, it was agreed that 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. This was followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut.
The ratification process was not without opposition. A group of influential colonial Patriots, known as the Anti-Federalists, publicly opposed the new Constitution in town hall meetings, newspapers, and pamphlets. Led by Patrick Henry of Virginia, they argued that the delegates at the Constitutional Convention had exceeded their authority by proposing to replace the Articles of Confederation with an "illegal" document. Some also complained that the delegates, being mostly wealthy landowners, had proposed a Constitution that would serve their special interests. Another objection was that the Constitution reserved too many powers for the central government at the expense of "state's rights."
Despite these objections, New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify the Constitution on June 21, 1788, officially ending government under the Articles of Confederation. This date marked the beginning of the Constitution as the official framework of the US government. Three months later, on September 17, 1788, the Congress of the Confederation certified the ratification of eleven states and passed resolutions setting dates for choosing the first senators and representatives, as well as the first president.
The remaining states continued to ratify the Constitution over the next two years. On May 29, 1790, Rhode Island became the last of the 13 original states to ratify the Constitution. Even after this, the US continued to evolve, and it was several years before the country began to function as it does today.
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The election of George Washington
The US Constitution was ratified in 1788, marking the beginning of a new era for the nation. This was followed by the country's first presidential election, which took place from December 15, 1788, to January 7, 1789, with George Washington being unanimously elected as the first president of the United States.
George Washington's journey to the presidency began with his role as a revolutionary leader. He was the commander of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War, a position that allowed him to masterfully balance strategic and political demands. After the war, he retired, but his dedication to the nation remained unwavering, and he agreed to come out of retirement to serve once again.
The election of 1788-1789 was a significant milestone in American history. It was the first national presidential election, and it spanned two calendar years without the need for a contingent election. The outgoing Congress of the Confederation announced the election procedure on September 13, 1788, with electors being chosen on January 7, 1789, and casting their votes on February 4, 1789.
Washington's unanimous election was a testament to his popularity and the trust placed in him by the American people. He received votes from electors in 10 out of the 13 extant states, with North Carolina, Rhode Island, and New York abstaining from the process due to ratification issues. Washington's running mate, John Adams, was elected vice president, receiving votes from nearly half the electors.
Washington's inauguration took place on April 30, 1789, in New York City. He stood on the balcony of Federal Hall, clad in a brown suit with white stockings and a sword, taking the oath administered by Chancellor Robert Livingston. His journey to the inauguration was a celebratory procession, with people from towns and villages greeting him with banners, speeches, and triumphal arches. The Constitution had begun to march through time, and with Washington's election, the foundation of the United States as we know it today was laid.
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The Bill of Rights
The US Constitution, the supreme law of the United States of America, came into effect on March 4, 1789, when the new government was set up. The Constitution superseded the Articles of Confederation, which was the first US Constitution. The Articles of Confederation gave the Confederation Congress the power to make rules and request funds from the states, but it had no enforcement powers and could not regulate commerce or print money.
The journey to ratifying the new Constitution was a long and arduous process. The Articles of Confederation were adopted in mid-November 1777, and ratification by the 13 colonies took more than three years, being completed on March 1, 1781. However, it soon became clear that the young country needed a stronger, more centralized government. Alexander Hamilton led the call for a constitutional convention to re-evaluate the nation's governing document, and on May 25, 1787, representatives from all 13 states convened in Philadelphia. The initial purpose of the convention was to amend the Articles of Confederation, but the outcome was the proposal and creation of a new form of government.
The new Constitution was signed by 38 out of 41 delegates on September 17, 1787, and it was agreed that it would not be binding until its ratification by nine of the 13 states. Delaware was the first state to ratify the Constitution on December 7, 1787, and New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify on June 21, 1788.
The Federalists, who believed in a strong central government, and the Anti-Federalists, who opposed the creation of a powerful central government, fought hard over the ratification of the Constitution. The Anti-Federalists were only persuaded to support the Constitution after being promised that amendments would be added to secure individual liberties. Ten of these amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified on December 15, 1791. The Bill of Rights was a significant victory for the Anti-Federalists, as it addressed their concerns about the lack of protection for individual liberties in the original Constitution.
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Amendments and their impact
The US Constitution has been amended 27 times since it was first ratified. The first ten amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified on December 15, 1791.
The process of amending the Constitution is outlined in Article V of the document. An amendment can be proposed by Congress with a two-thirds majority vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, or by a constitutional convention called for by two-thirds of the state legislatures. Once an amendment is proposed by Congress, it is forwarded to the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) for processing and publication. The proposal is then sent to the states for ratification, and it becomes part of the Constitution once three-fourths of the states (38 out of 50) ratify it.
The amendments to the Constitution have had a significant impact on the functioning of the US government and the protection of individual liberties. For example, the Twentieth Amendment, ratified in 1933, shortened the transition period between Election Day and the beginning of presidential, vice-presidential, and congressional terms. This amendment aimed to put an end to "lame duck" sessions of Congress and provide a speedier transition for new administrations.
Another important amendment is the Twenty-second Amendment, ratified in 1951, which limits an elected president to two terms in office, for a total of eight years. This amendment was proposed to prevent any future president from becoming a dictator or abusing their power.
The Bill of Rights, which includes the First Amendment, protects several fundamental freedoms, including freedom of religion, speech, and the press, as well as the right to peaceably assemble and petition the government. These rights are considered essential to a democratic society and have had a profound impact on the political and social landscape of the United States.
The amendments to the Constitution have played a crucial role in shaping the US government and safeguarding the rights of its citizens. They reflect the evolving nature of the nation and its commitment to adapting to the needs and values of its people.
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Frequently asked questions
On June 21, 1788, the US Constitution became the official framework of the government when New Hampshire became the ninth of 13 states to ratify it.
The US Constitution came into effect on March 4, 1789, when the first Congress convened in New York City.
The US Constitution was drafted on September 17, 1787, when 38 out of 41 delegates present signed the document.
