Jonah Patel
The United States Constitution, composed of a preamble, seven articles, and 27 amendments, was signed on September 17, 1787, and ratified on June 21, 1788. The Constitution was not ratified by all states until May 29, 1790, when Rhode Island approved the document. The most recent amendment to the Constitution was in 1992, which prevents members of Congress from granting themselves pay raises during the current session.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of adoption | 17th September 1787 |
| Date of ratification | 21st June 1788 |
| Number of amendments | 27 |
| First 10 amendments known as | Bill of Rights |
| Date of first 10 amendments ratification | 15th December 1791 |
| Date of most recent amendment | 1992 |
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What You'll Learn
The US Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787
The process leading up to the signing of the Constitution was a lengthy and complex one. It began with the Articles of Confederation, which served as the first constitution of the United States. These Articles were ratified in 1781, creating a loose confederation of states with limited central authority. However, the lack of enforcement powers for the central government led to a realisation that a stronger, more centralised government was needed.
This prompted calls for a constitutional convention to reevaluate the nation's governing document. The convention was held in Philadelphia, with delegates from 13 states participating. The initial purpose was to amend the Articles of Confederation, but it quickly became clear that a completely new form of government would be proposed. The delegates engaged in intensive debates and drafted a new scheme of government, characterised by a system of checks and balances.
The final document, consisting of four pages, was signed by 38 or 39 out of 41 delegates present. It established a federal organisation with a bicameral legislature, addressing issues such as state representation in Congress and the powers of the central government.
The Constitution did not immediately take effect upon signing. According to Article VII, it required ratification by nine of the 13 states before becoming binding. This process faced opposition from states like Massachusetts, which criticised the lack of protection for states' rights and basic political freedoms. However, compromises were reached, and the necessary ratifications were achieved. On June 21, 1788, New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify, making the Constitution the official framework of the US government.
The US Constitution has since been amended numerous times, with the Bill of Rights being adopted in 1789 and ratified in 1791. It remains the oldest written constitution still in operation today.
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It was ratified on June 21, 1788
The United States Constitution was ratified on June 21, 1788, marking a significant milestone in the country's history. This event occurred almost a year after the Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, by 38 to 39 out of 41 delegates present at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. The journey towards ratification was lengthy and challenging, with delegates debating and redrafting the articles of the Constitution throughout the summer of 1787. The final document established the government of the United States, addressing key issues such as the power of the central government and representation in Congress.
The process of ratification began after the signing and played a crucial role in transforming the Constitution into the official framework of the US government. Ratification required the approval of nine out of 13 states, and this was achieved on June 21, 1788, when New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify the Constitution. This event signified that the Constitution had gained the necessary support to become the governing document of the nation.
The road to achieving ratification was not without obstacles. Initially, there were concerns expressed by leaders in key states, including Virginia, New York, and Massachusetts, regarding the lack of protections for people's rights. These concerns threatened to derail the ratification process. However, Federalists promised that amendments would be added to secure individual liberties if the Constitution was adopted. This compromise played a pivotal role in gaining the support needed for ratification.
The ratification of the US Constitution on June 21, 1788 was a pivotal moment in the nation's history, shaping the country's future and laying the foundation for its governance. While the initial framework was established with the ratification, it is important to note that the Constitution has evolved over time through amendments. The first ten amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified on December 15, 1791, further defining the rights and freedoms guaranteed to the citizens of the United States.
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The first draft was accepted on August 6, 1787
The United States Constitution is a four-page document that was signed on September 17, 1787, and ratified on June 21, 1788. The first draft of the Constitution was accepted on August 6, 1787, after delegates convened in Philadelphia on May 25, 1787, to participate in the Constitutional Convention. The delegates debated and redrafted the articles of the Constitution throughout the summer of 1787. The first draft of the Constitution was the result of these discussions and debates, and it served as the foundation for the final document, which was signed about five weeks later.
The Constitutional Convention was convened to amend the Articles of Confederation, which was the first constitution of the United States. However, it became clear by mid-June that the Convention would draft an entirely new form of government rather than amend the existing Articles. The delegates to the Convention included George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, James Wilson, Alexander Hamilton, George Mason, John Dickinson, and others.
The Constitution established the government of the United States and addressed several key issues, including the power of the central government, the number of representatives in Congress for each state, and the method of electing these representatives. The delegates also made compromises to protect the slave trade and ensure proportional representation in the lower house and equal representation in the Senate.
The ratification process for the Constitution was long and challenging. The document was ratified by nine states by June 21, 1788, making it the official framework of the government of the United States. The remaining states gradually ratified the Constitution, and it was not ratified by all states until May 29, 1790, when Rhode Island approved the document. The Bill of Rights, comprising the first ten amendments, was ratified on December 15, 1791.
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The Bill of Rights was ratified on December 15, 1791
The United States Constitution is the nation's foundational document, outlining the framework for the US government and the rights and freedoms of its citizens. The Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, and ratified by the necessary number of states on June 21, 1788, when New Hampshire became the ninth of 13 states to approve it. The Constitution was then amended several times over the years, with one of the most significant amendments being the Bill of Rights.
The Bill of Rights comprises the first ten amendments to the US Constitution and was ratified on December 15, 1791. It defines citizens' rights in relation to the newly established government under the Constitution. The founding fathers were concerned that spelling out all Americans' rights in a series of amendments could be limiting, and there was a long debate about the adoption of the Constitution. Opponents of the Constitution as drafted argued that it would pave the way for tyranny by the central government, especially given the British violation of civil rights before and during the Revolution. They demanded a "bill of rights" that would explicitly outline the immunities of individual citizens. Several state conventions requested such amendments during their formal ratification of the Constitution, while others ratified the Constitution with the understanding that amendments would follow.
On September 25, 1789, the First Congress of the United States proposed 12 amendments to the Constitution, of which 10 were ratified on December 15, 1791, and came to be known as the Bill of Rights. The two amendments that were not ratified concerned the population system of representation and the payment of congressional members.
The Bill of Rights was influenced by the English Bill of Rights of 1689 and Virginia's Declaration of Rights, drafted by George Mason in 1776. Mason was a lifelong advocate for individual liberties and criticised the final draft of the Constitution at the Constitutional Convention in 1787 for lacking constitutional protection of basic political rights. He and other critics agreed to support the Constitution in exchange for the immediate passing of amendments. On December 15, 1791, Virginia became the tenth of 14 states to approve 10 of the 12 amendments, thus giving the Bill of Rights the majority of state ratification necessary to make it legal.
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The Twenty-seventh Amendment was adopted in 1992
The Twenty-seventh Amendment to the United States Constitution was adopted in 1992, more than two centuries after it was first proposed. This amendment, also known as the Congressional Compensation Act of 1789, addresses the issue of Congressional salaries. It states that any law that increases or decreases the salary of members of Congress can only take effect after the next election of the House of Representatives. The intention was to prevent members of Congress from granting themselves pay raises during their current session, instead incentivising them to be more cautious about increasing congressional pay.
The long delay in the adoption of the Twenty-seventh Amendment was due to the fact that it had no time limit for ratification. The amendment was originally proposed on September 25, 1789, along with eleven other amendments, by the 1st Congress. Ten of these amendments were ratified in 1791 to become the Bill of Rights. However, the Twenty-seventh Amendment was not ratified by enough states to come into force at that time.
In 1982, a student at the University of Texas in Austin, Gregory Watson, wrote an undergraduate research paper on the amendment, arguing that it was still pending. This sparked a movement to ratify the amendment and curb political corruption. By May 5, 1992, 38 states had ratified the amendment, and it was certified by the Archivist of the United States on May 18, 1992. The certification was published in the Federal Register on May 19, 1992, and on May 20, 1992, both houses of the 102nd Congress passed a concurrent resolution agreeing that the amendment was validly ratified.
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Frequently asked questions
The US Constitution was first drafted in 1787.
The US Constitution was ratified in 1788.
The document required ratification by nine of the 13 existing states.
Delaware was the first state to ratify the Constitution on December 7, 1787.
The Bill of Rights, the first 10 amendments, was ratified on December 15, 1791.
