Jonah Patel
Delaware was the first state to ratify the United States Constitution, signing on December 7, 1787. The state's 30 delegates unanimously approved the document, making Delaware the first state of the modern United States. Delaware Day is celebrated annually on December 7 to commemorate this event.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date Delaware signed the Constitution | December 7, 1787 |
| Delaware's status | First state to ratify the Constitution |
| Number of delegates | 30 |
| Location | Dover, Delaware |
| Venue | Battell's Tavern (also known as the Golden Fleece Tavern) |
| Type of vote | Unanimous |
| Date of adoption of current constitution | 1897 |
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What You'll Learn
- Delaware was the first state to ratify the US Constitution
- Delaware Day is celebrated annually on December 7
- The Continental Congress adopted the Constitution on September 17, 1787
- Delaware's constitution prohibited the entry of people from Africa for the purpose of slavery
- Delaware was the first state to have a convention write a constitution after the Declaration of Independence
Delaware was the first state to ratify the US Constitution
The Continental Congress had adopted the Constitution of the United States on September 17, 1787, and it was then sent to the states for ratification. The Constitution would become binding once nine of the former 13 colonies had ratified it.
Delaware's process towards ratification began with the election of 30 delegates to a state convention on November 26, 1787. The convention, meeting in Dover, unanimously voted in favour of ratifying the Constitution on December 7. This was a significant step, as Delaware was a small state, and its willingness to ratify the Constitution influenced other states to follow suit.
Delaware's early ratification was important in making the United States Constitution the law of the land. By June 21, 1788, New Hampshire had become the decisive ninth state to ratify, and federal democracy became official. Government under the US Constitution took effect on March 4, 1789.
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Delaware Day is celebrated annually on December 7
The Continental Congress had adopted the Constitution of the United States on September 17, 1787, and it was signed by 37 of the original 55 delegates in Philadelphia. The Constitution was then sent to the states for ratification, requiring at least nine of the former 13 colonies to approve it for it to become binding. Delaware, despite being a small state, took the initiative and became the first to ratify, setting an example for other states to follow.
The process of ratification in Delaware began with the election of 30 delegates to the state convention on November 26, 1787. The convention, meeting at Battell's Tavern (also known as the Golden Fleece Tavern) in Dover, unanimously voted in favour of ratification on December 7, 1787, making Delaware the first state of the modern United States. This decision was significant as it demonstrated Delaware's willingness to unite with larger states and played a crucial role in establishing federal democracy as the law of the land.
Delaware Day was first celebrated in 1933, thanks to the efforts of E. Paul Burkholder, a wise Delaware educator and legislator, along with the Rotary Club of Georgetown. They secured over 6,000 signatures on petitions, which were presented to the governor and the legislature. As a result, a House Joint Resolution was passed and approved on November 29, 1933, establishing December 7 as Delaware Day. The first official celebration was held that same year, honouring Delaware's role in shaping the nation and its proud heritage.
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The Continental Congress adopted the Constitution on September 17, 1787
The Continental Congress was the name of the governing body of the United States during the Revolutionary War and the subsequent Confederation Period. It was made up of representatives from each of the 13 original states, including Delaware.
The Continental Congress played a crucial role in the creation of the United States Constitution. After the Declaration of Independence, the Continental Congress recognised the need for a stronger central government and called for a convention to draft a new constitution. This convention, known as the Constitutional Convention, was held in Philadelphia in 1787, and it was here that the United States Constitution was drafted and signed on September 17, 1787.
The Constitution replaced the Articles of Confederation, which had been the first constitution of the United States. The Articles established a weak central government, and it soon became clear that a new framework was needed to address the issues facing the young nation. The Constitutional Convention was convened to address these issues and create a more effective form of government.
The Constitution established a federal system with a balance of power between the states and the central government. It created a legislative branch with two chambers, a judicial branch, and an executive branch headed by a president. The Constitution also included a system of checks and balances to ensure that no one branch of government became too powerful.
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Delaware's constitution prohibited the entry of people from Africa for the purpose of slavery
On December 7, 1787, Delaware became the first state to ratify the US Constitution. This unanimous decision was made by 30 delegates at a state convention in Dover, making Delaware the first state to join the Union.
Delaware's constitution of 1776 prohibited the entry of people from Africa for the purpose of slavery. This constitution was replaced by the Delaware Constitution of 1792, which remained in effect until 1831. Despite this, the 1790 census listed 8,887 slaves and 3,899 free blacks in the state. While some Delawareans were interested in manumission, this was often conditional on freedmen returning to Africa.
The issue of slavery was a contentious one in Delaware, with some attempting to end the practice and others seeking to preserve it. In 1788, Delawareans, mostly Quakers, organized the Delaware Society for Promoting the Abolition of Slavery. The same year, the Delaware Society for the Gradual Abolition of Slavery was also formed. These societies worked to protect free blacks from kidnapping and encouraged slave owners to free their slaves. However, even after the Civil War and Juneteenth, Delaware took no action to make slavery unlawful. It was only with the ratification of the Thirteenth Amendment in December 1865 that slavery was finally abolished in Delaware.
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Delaware was the first state to have a convention write a constitution after the Declaration of Independence
This 1776 constitution was replaced by the Delaware Constitution of 1792, which remained in effect until 1831. In that year, a convention approved a third state constitution. Delaware's current constitution, its fourth, was adopted in 1897 and remains in effect.
Delaware's 1776 constitution included a bicameral legislature, an executive with broad authority after consulting with the Privy Council, and a judicial branch selected by the Executive and General Assembly. Notably, the constitution prohibited the entry of anyone from Africa or other places for the purpose of holding individuals in slavery.
Delaware also played a significant role in the ratification of the United States Constitution. On December 7, 1787, Delaware became the first state to ratify the Constitution, unanimously approved by all 30 delegates to the Delaware Constitutional Convention. This unanimous vote carried significant weight, and Delaware's example inspired other states to follow suit.
Delaware's early adoption of the Constitution reflected its leaders' wisdom and foresight. As a small state surrounded by larger ones, there were concerns about potential disadvantages. By ratifying the Constitution, Delaware ensured its place in the union with the larger states, securing its survival and influence.
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Frequently asked questions
Delaware became the first state to ratify the Constitution, signing on December 7, 1787.
Delaware's unanimous vote to ratify the Constitution was significant as it set a precedent for other states to follow. It also contributed to the establishment of federal democracy in the United States.
The key people involved in Delaware's ratification process included Thomas Collins, the President of Delaware who presented the Constitution to the Delaware Assembly, and the thirty delegates elected to the state convention, who unanimously voted to ratify the Constitution.
