Isabella Carter
The United States Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 39 delegates to the Constitutional Convention, representing 12 states (all but Rhode Island, which declined to send delegates), endorsed the Constitution. The delegates ranged in age from Jonathan Dayton, aged 26, to Benjamin Franklin, aged 81, who was so infirm that he had to be carried to sessions in a sedan chair.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 17 September 1787 |
| Location | Independence Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Number of delegates signing | 39 |
| Number of delegates present but not signing | 3 |
| Number of delegates who left before the signing | Several |
| Number of states represented | 12 |
| Number of states not represented | 1 (Rhode Island) |
| Age of youngest signer | 26 (Jonathan Dayton) |
| Age of oldest signer | 81 (Benjamin Franklin) |
| Number of signers who had served in the Continental forces | At least 29 |
| Number of signers who had taken part in the American Revolution | Virtually every signer |
| Number of signers who had signed the Declaration of Independence | 7 |
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What You'll Learn
The signing occurred on September 17, 1787
The United States Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This signing was the culmination of a four-month-long Constitutional Convention, which began in May of the same year. The convention was convened to address the shortcomings of the Articles of Confederation, which had established the first national government but lacked the power to carry out essential functions, such as raising revenue or conducting diplomatic relations.
The signing on September 17, 1787, marked the endorsement of the Constitution by 39 delegates representing 12 states. Rhode Island was the only state that did not send delegates to the convention. The delegates who signed the Constitution ranged in age from 26-year-old Jonathan Dayton to 81-year-old Benjamin Franklin. Franklin, who had to be carried to the sessions in a sedan chair due to his infirmity, summed up the sentiments of those who signed despite their reservations, stating that while he did not approve of every part of the Constitution, he accepted it as the best option at the time.
The signing of the Constitution was an extraordinary achievement, as the delegates representing wildly different interests and views crafted compromises to create a powerful central government while protecting the prerogatives of the states. The Constitution laid out a framework for the nation's federal government, delineating the functions of its three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. The signing ceremony included signatures, a brief declaration of successful completion, and a formulaic dating of its adoption.
The delegates who signed the Constitution had diverse backgrounds, with virtually all of them having taken part in the American Revolution. Seven had signed the Declaration of Independence, and at least 29 had served in the Continental forces. The signing of the Constitution on September 17, 1787, set in motion the process of ratifying the document. The founders bypassed state legislatures and called for special ratifying conventions in each state, with ratification by 9 of the 13 states enacting the new government.
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39 delegates signed
The United States Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 39 delegates to the Constitutional Convention, representing 12 states, endorsed the Constitution. This endorsement included signatures, a declaration that the delegates' work had been completed, and a statement of the document's adoption by the states present.
The 39 signatories represented the original 13 states, except for Rhode Island, which did not send any delegates. The delegates included Jonathan Dayton, aged 26, the youngest to sign the Constitution, and Benjamin Franklin, aged 81, the oldest. Franklin summed up the sentiments of those who signed, acknowledging that while there were parts of the Constitution he did not approve, he accepted it as the best option.
The signing of the Constitution was the culmination of a four-month-long convention that began in May 1787. The delegates debated competing proposals, such as the "New Jersey Plan," which advocated for a unicameral legislature with equal state representation. The convention's outcome was a powerful central government, a compromise that addressed concerns about centralized power and loyalty to individual states.
The delegates who signed the Constitution had diverse backgrounds and experiences. Virtually all of them had participated in the American Revolution, and at least 29 had served in the Continental forces. The signatories included natives of the 13 colonies and individuals born in Ireland, England, Scotland, and the West Indies.
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The youngest was 26, the oldest 81
The United States Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Of the 74 delegates chosen to attend, 55 attended the sessions, and only 39 signed the Constitution. Jonathan Dayton, aged 26, was the youngest to sign the Constitution, while Benjamin Franklin, aged 81, was the oldest.
The delegates' ages reflected the wide range of perspectives and experiences represented at the Constitutional Convention. Jonathan Dayton, the youngest signer, brought a youthful perspective to the proceedings, while Benjamin Franklin, the oldest at 81, contributed a wealth of knowledge and experience. Despite their age difference, both individuals played a crucial role in shaping the Constitution and ensuring its unanimous support from the delegations from each state.
Jonathan Dayton, the youngest signer, was born in 1760 and represented New Jersey at the Constitutional Convention. He had a keen interest in politics and law, and despite his young age, he had already established himself as a lawyer and served in the Continental Congress. Dayton went on to have a prominent political career, eventually becoming a United States Senator and playing a significant role in the early years of the republic.
Benjamin Franklin, the oldest signer at 81, was a renowned polymath and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. By the time of the Constitutional Convention, Franklin had a long and distinguished career as a scientist, inventor, writer, and diplomat. He had served as a delegate to the Continental Congress and played a crucial role in the American Revolution. Despite his advanced age and infirmity, Franklin's presence at the Convention carried great symbolic weight, and his support for the Constitution was instrumental in securing its adoption.
The age gap between the youngest and oldest signers of the Constitution, spanning over five decades, demonstrates the unity and inclusivity of the delegates who came together to shape the future of the nation. Their collective effort resulted in the creation of a powerful central government that addressed the challenges facing the young country and laid the foundation for the United States as we know it today.
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12 of 13 states were represented
The United States Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 39 delegates to the Constitutional Convention, representing 12 of the 13 states, endorsed the Constitution. Rhode Island was the only state that did not send any delegates to the convention.
The delegates were tasked with revising the existing government framework, which was laid out in the Articles of Confederation. However, they ended up drafting a completely new constitution, creating a powerful central government. The delegates represented a wide range of interests and views, and their task was not an easy one. They debated competing proposals from May to July 1787 before turning over their plans to a Grand Committee, which produced the final document we now know as the Constitution.
The signing of the Constitution was an extraordinary achievement, as it required the unanimous support of the delegations from each state. To achieve this unanimity, the formula "Done in convention by the unanimous consent of the states present..." was devised. This formula appears in the Constitution's closing protocol, along with signatures, a brief declaration of successful completion, and a statement of adoption by the states present.
The delegates who signed the Constitution ranged in age from 26-year-old Jonathan Dayton to 81-year-old Benjamin Franklin. Franklin, who had to be carried to the sessions in a sedan chair due to his infirmity, summed up the sentiments of those who signed, acknowledging their imperfect approval of the document but accepting it as the best option.
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The signing occurred in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The signing of the United States Constitution took place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on September 17, 1787. The location for the signing of the Constitution was decided in February 1787, when Congress resolved that a convention of delegates would be held in Philadelphia to revise the Articles of Confederation.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was also the site of the Constitutional Convention, which began in May 1787. The convention was held at Independence Hall, formerly known as the Pennsylvania State House. The delegates to the convention debated and crafted the Constitution over a period of four months.
Of the 70 to 74 individuals appointed to the convention, 55 attended the sessions. However, only 39 delegates, representing 12 states, ultimately signed the Constitution. Rhode Island was the only state that did not send any delegates to the convention.
The signing of the Constitution marked the completion of the delegates' work and the endorsement of the final document. The endorsement included signatures, a declaration of successful completion, and a statement of adoption by the states present. The convention's secretary, William Jackson, added a note verifying amendments made to the document.
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Frequently asked questions
The delegates signed the constitution in 1787.
39 delegates signed the constitution.
74 delegates were chosen to sign the constitution, 55 attended the signing ceremony and 39 signed.
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