Simone Lawson
The US Constitution, which separates the powers of government into three branches, sets up a system of checks and balances, divides power between the states and federal government, and describes the purposes and duties of the government, came into effect in 1789. The signing of the Constitution occurred on September 17, 1787, when 39 delegates endorsed the document. However, it needed to be approved by the people through the ratification process. On June 21, 1788, New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify the Constitution, and the Confederation Congress established March 4, 1789, as the date to begin operating a new government under the Constitution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Signing of the United States Constitution | September 17, 1787 |
| Number of delegates who endorsed the constitution | 39 |
| First state to ratify the Constitution | Delaware, on December 7, 1787 |
| Date when the Constitution became the official framework of the government of the United States of America | June 21, 1788 |
| Date of the nation's first presidential election | December 15, 1788 to January 10, 1789 |
| Date when the new government was set to begin | March 4, 1789 |
| Number of amendments introduced by Madison | 17 |
| Number of amendments adopted by Congress | 12 |
| Number of amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, that were ratified | 10 |
| Date when the ten amendments were ratified | December 15, 1791 |
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What You'll Learn
The signing of the US Constitution
The road to the signing of the Constitution began with a call from New York's Alexander Hamilton for a constitutional convention to reevaluate the nation's governing document, the Articles of Confederation. The Confederation Congress supported this initiative, and representatives from all 13 states were invited to convene in Philadelphia on May 25, 1787. However, Rhode Island declined to send delegates, resulting in 12 states being represented.
The convention featured prominent figures such as James Madison, James Wilson, Gouverneur Morris, and, for a while, Alexander Hamilton. The delegates engaged in discussions and debates, ultimately deciding to draft an entirely new frame of government instead of amending the Articles of Confederation. The process was a deliberative one, with the delegates working to address the needs of the 13 states and their approximately four million inhabitants.
On the final day of the convention, Benjamin Franklin, at the age of 81, delivered a powerful speech in support of the Constitution. Despite his own misgivings about certain parts of the document, Franklin recognised the importance of unity and compromise. He made an emotional plea for all the delegates to sign the Constitution, and his motion was approved by 10 of the state delegations.
The signing of the Constitution was not unanimous, however. Three delegates, Elbridge Gerry, George Mason, and Edmund Randolph, objected to the final version and refused to add their signatures. Nevertheless, the endorsement of the Constitution by the majority of delegates marked a pivotal moment in the establishment of a stronger, more centralised government for the United States.
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The date it went into effect
The US Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, when 39 delegates endorsed the constitution. However, it did not go into effect immediately. It needed to be ratified by the people. Article VII of the Constitution established that ratification by nine states would be sufficient for the establishment of the Constitution.
On June 21, 1788, New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify the Constitution. The Confederation Congress then established March 4, 1789, as the date for the new government to commence proceedings under the Constitution. The first elections under the Constitution were held in 1788, and George Washington was elected as the first President of the United States.
The Constitution has been an inspiration that changed the trajectory of world history. It put governance in the hands of the people, allowing them to select their own form of government. Constitution Day, observed on September 17, commemorates the US Constitution.
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The process of ratification
The convention was initially called to amend the Articles of Confederation, but the ultimate outcome was the proposal and creation of a completely new form of government. The delegates decided that the Constitution would go into effect as soon as nine states (two-thirds rounded up) ratified it. Each of the remaining four states could then join the newly formed union by ratifying.
Between September 26 and 28, Congress debated in secret whether to send the Constitution to the states for ratification. The majority of the congressional delegates were Federalists and supporters of the Constitution, while a handful of opponents were soon to be called Antifederalists. The Antifederalists proposed sending the Constitution to the states with amendments, including a bill of rights.
Hamilton and James Madison led the lobbying efforts for votes in favour of ratifying the Constitution. With assistance from John Jay, they produced 85 essays known as "The Federalist Papers", explaining and defending how the proposed new government would function. The essays were published in newspapers nationwide.
On December 7, 1787, Delaware became the first state to ratify the Constitution, followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut. Some states voiced opposition to the Constitution on the grounds that it did not provide protection for rights such as freedom of speech, religion, and the press. However, the terms of the Massachusetts Compromise reached in February 1788, stipulated that amendments to that effect—what became the Bill of Rights—would be immediately proposed.
The Constitution was subsequently ratified by Massachusetts, Maryland, and South Carolina. On June 21, 1788, New Hampshire became the ninth of 13 states to ratify the Constitution, making it the official framework for the government of the United States of America. All 13 states eventually ratified the Constitution by May 29, 1790.
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The first amendments
The United States Constitution was ratified on June 21, 1788, when New Hampshire became the ninth of 13 states to ratify it. The First Amendment to the United States Constitution was adopted on December 15, 1791, as one of the ten amendments that constitute the Bill of Rights.
The First Amendment prevents Congress from making laws that infringe on the freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, and the right to petition the government for redress of grievances. It was drafted in response to Anti-Federalist opposition to Constitutional ratification, particularly in states like Virginia, Massachusetts, and New York, where there was concern about the lack of protection for civil liberties.
The First Amendment's protection of religious freedom ensures that Congress cannot establish a national religion or prohibit the free exercise of any religious beliefs. This aspect of the amendment has been interpreted to mean that there should be a separation of church and state, with the government remaining neutral on matters of religion.
The freedom of speech protected by the First Amendment includes political speech, anonymous speech, and school speech. While commercial speech is afforded less protection and is subject to greater regulation, the First Amendment also protects against pre-publication censorship. The freedom of the press encompasses the publication of information and opinions across various media formats.
The right to assemble peaceably and the right to petition the government are also guaranteed by the First Amendment. The Supreme Court has interpreted the amendment as implicitly protecting freedom of association, and the right to petition includes the right to petition all branches and agencies of the government.
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The Bill of Rights
The United States Constitution was ratified on June 21, 1788, when New Hampshire became the ninth of 13 states to ratify it. The Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, when 39 delegates endorsed the constitution created during the Philadelphia Convention.
The first amendment guarantees freedom of religion, speech, and the press, as well as the right to assemble and petition the government. The second amendment protects the right to keep and bear arms. The third amendment prohibits the quartering of soldiers in civilian homes without consent. The fourth amendment protects citizens from unreasonable searches and seizures, requiring warrants based on probable cause.
The fifth amendment guarantees due process and trial by jury, while the sixth amendment grants the right to a speedy trial and the assistance of counsel. The seventh amendment ensures the right to a trial by jury in civil cases, while the eighth amendment prohibits excessive bail and cruel and unusual punishments. The ninth amendment states that the enumeration of certain rights shall not deny or disparage others retained by the people. The tenth amendment reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states or the people.
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Frequently asked questions
The US Constitution went into effect in 1789.
The US Constitution was ratified in June 1788 after New Hampshire became the ninth state to do so on June 21, 1788.
The US Constitution was written and signed in 1787. The signing took place on September 17, 1787, when 39 delegates endorsed the constitution.
The first election under the US Constitution was held in late 1788. George Washington was elected as the first President and John Adams as the Vice President.
