Eleanor Finch
The United States Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The signing of the US Constitution marked the end of the Constitutional Convention, which lasted four months and saw fierce debate over the future of the United States. 39 delegates endorsed the Constitution, representing 12 states (all except Rhode Island). The Constitution laid out a framework for the nation's federal government and described how its three branches (legislative, executive, and judicial) would function.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | September 17, 1787 |
| Location | Independence Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Number of Signatures | 39 |
| Number of Delegates Present | 42 |
| Number of Delegates Who Refused to Sign | 3 |
| Youngest Signer | Jonathan Dayton, 26 |
| Oldest Signer | Benjamin Franklin, 81 |
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What You'll Learn
The US Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787
The US Constitution, one of the longest-lived and most emulated constitutions in the world, was signed on September 17, 1787. The signing of the Constitution was an extraordinary achievement, and it stands as a powerful symbol of American democracy and self-governance.
The Constitution was the result of a Grand Convention of state delegates convened in Philadelphia in May 1787. The Convention was called in response to growing concerns about the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, America's first constitution, which gave the Confederation Congress limited powers and no enforcement authority. The delegates to the Convention, representing a wide range of interests and views, were tasked with revising the existing government but ultimately created a new one.
The Constitution established a powerful central government, increasing Congressional powers over taxation, commerce, and the organization and use of state militias. It also added protections for individual liberties, such as freedom of speech and religion, and provided a framework for the US government that has been amended and built upon over the years.
The process of drafting and signing the Constitution was not without controversy. Some, like George Mason, criticized the Convention for rushing to create a central authority without sufficient protections for individual rights. The Anti-Federalists opposed the Constitution due to its creation of a powerful central government and the lack of a bill of rights. Despite these objections, the Constitution was ratified by 9 of the 13 states, enacting a new government and shaping the course of American history.
The US Constitution has been amended several times since its signing to address various issues and adapt to changing circumstances. Amendments have included protections against excessively high bail and fines, constraints on Congressional power over income taxes, and limitations on presidential terms. The Constitution remains a living document, open to interpretation and amendment, and continues to be a source of debate and discussion in American political life.
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39 delegates signed the document
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 39 delegates who signed the document included George Washington, who signed first as the president of the convention, followed by the other delegates, grouped by states in progression from north to south. The youngest signer was 26-year-old Jonathan Dayton, and the oldest was 81-year-old Benjamin Franklin.
The signing of the Constitution was the result of a four-month-long convention that began in May 1787. The convention was convened to address concerns about the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, which was America's first constitution. The Articles gave the Confederation Congress the power to make rules and request funds from the states, but it lacked enforcement powers, could not regulate commerce, print money, or manage western territories effectively, and did not empower the central government to carry out essential functions.
The delegates to the convention, some of whom had served in the Continental Congress or fought in the American Revolution, debated competing proposals and eventually produced the document known as the Constitution, which expanded the power of the central government while protecting the prerogatives of the states. The final document included a brief declaration that the delegates' work had been successfully completed and that those whose signatures appeared on it subscribed to the final document.
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The signing took place at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The signing of the United States Constitution took place at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on September 17, 1787. Independence Hall, originally known as the Pennsylvania State House, is located on Chestnut Street, between 5th and 6th Streets. It has been the site of many other significant events in American history. For instance, George Washington was appointed commander-in-chief of the Continental Army here in 1775, the Declaration of Independence was adopted here on July 4, 1776, the design of the American flag was agreed upon here in 1777, and the Articles of Confederation were adopted here in 1781.
The Constitutional Convention, which led to the signing of the Constitution, began in Philadelphia in May 1787. The Convention was convened due to fears that the young country was on the brink of collapse. America's first constitution, the Articles of Confederation, had given the Confederation Congress rule-making and funding powers, but it lacked enforcement powers and could not regulate commerce or print money. As a result, disputes over territory, war pensions, taxation, and trade threatened to tear the country apart.
The signing of the Constitution was an extraordinary achievement. Thirty-nine delegates representing 12 states endorsed the Constitution, which was created during the four-month-long convention. These delegates came from diverse backgrounds and represented a cross-section of 18th-century American leadership, with experience in local, colonial, and state governments. The youngest signer was 26-year-old Jonathan Dayton, while the oldest was 81-year-old Benjamin Franklin.
The signing ceremony was immortalized in a 20-by-30-foot painting by Howard Chandler Christy, commissioned in 1939 and completed in 1940. The painting, on display in the United States Capitol, depicts the scene at Independence Hall, with George Washington standing prominently next to Richard Spaight of North Carolina, who is signing the document. Benjamin Franklin, seated in the centre, is shown with Alexander Hamilton leaning towards him, while James Madison appears to the right.
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The delegates represented 12 states
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. All but Rhode Island, which declined to send delegates, were represented.
The 12 states represented were Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Virginia. The delegates from these states included a cross-section of 18th-century American leadership, with individuals having experience in local or colonial and state government.
The signing of the Constitution was the culmination of a four-month-long convention that began in May 1787. The delegates were tasked with revising the existing government, but ultimately crafted a new one. Wary of centralized power and loyal to their states, they created a powerful central government. Representing wildly different interests and views, they crafted compromises.
The final draft of the Constitution, presented to the convention on September 12, contained seven articles, a preamble, and a closing endorsement, of which Gouverneur Morris was the primary author. The closing endorsement was agreed to by 11 state delegations and the lone remaining delegate from New York, Alexander Hamilton.
The signing of the Constitution was a significant event in American history, and it stands today as one of the longest-lived and most emulated constitutions in the world.
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The Constitution was ratified by nine of the 13 states
The United States Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The signing of the document was the culmination of a four-month-long convention that began in May of the same year. The convention was attended by 55 of the 74 chosen delegates, representing 12 of the 13 states (all except Rhode Island). Of the 42 delegates who remained until the end of the convention, 39 signed the Constitution.
The Constitution was then ratified by nine of the 13 states. The first state to ratify was Delaware on December 7, 1787, followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut. The ratification of the Constitution was a contentious issue, with Anti-Federalists opposed to the creation of a powerful central government. However, the Federalists believed that a strong central government was necessary for the country to face its challenges. The tide turned in favour of the Federalists in Massachusetts, where the "vote now, amend later" compromise helped secure victory. This compromise led to the creation of the Bill of Rights, which addressed concerns about the lack of protection for rights such as freedom of speech, religion, and the press. New Hampshire became the ninth and final state needed to ratify the Constitution on June 21, 1788.
The ratification by nine of the 13 states enacted a new government, which officially began on March 4, 1789. The first federal elections were held from December 15, 1788, to January 10, 1789. The Constitution was not ratified by all states until May 29, 1790, when Rhode Island finally approved the document. The Bill of Rights, which included the first ten amendments to the Constitution, was ratified on December 15, 1791.
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Frequently asked questions
The signing of the Constitution began in 1787.
The US Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787.
The US Constitution was signed at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
39 delegates signed the Constitution.
Jonathan Dayton, at the age of 26, was the youngest signer of the Constitution.
