Omar Bennett
The United States Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, by 38 of the 41 delegates present. However, it was not ratified until June 21, 1788, when New Hampshire became the ninth state to approve the document. The Constitution was amended several times before being ratified by all 13 states on May 29, 1790, with the Bill of Rights being ratified on December 15, 1791. The US Constitution stands today as one of the longest-lived and most emulated constitutions globally.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of adoption | 21 June 1788 |
| First state to ratify the Constitution | Delaware, 7 December 1787 |
| Date of ratification | 17 September 1787 |
| Date officially enforced | 4 March 1789 |
| Date of adoption of the Constitution of India | 26 November 1949 |
| Date of enforcement of the Constitution of India | 24 January 1950 |
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What You'll Learn
The US Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787
The Articles of Confederation had established a weak central government with limited powers, and it became clear that a stronger, more centralized government was needed for long-term stability. The Constitutional Convention, led by figures like Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay, crafted a new framework for governance, resulting in the creation of the US Constitution. The Constitution established a more robust federal government and outlined the rights and responsibilities of both the government and the citizens.
The Constitution was signed by 38 out of 41 delegates present, and it laid the foundation for a more unified and resilient United States. However, it's important to note that the document's adoption and enforcement were gradual processes. The Constitution required ratification by nine of the 13 existing states before it could become binding. Delaware became the first state to ratify the Constitution on December 7, 1787, and New Hampshire became the critical ninth state to do so on June 21, 1788, marking the official adoption of the Constitution.
The new government officially began operating on March 4, 1789, with George Washington as the first President and John Adams as the first Vice President. The Constitution continued to evolve with amendments, such as the Bill of Rights, which was ratified on December 15, 1791. The US Constitution remains a living document, open to amendments to reflect the changing needs and values of the nation.
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Delaware was the first state to ratify the Constitution
The US Constitution was ratified on June 21, 1788, when New Hampshire became the ninth state to approve the document. However, the process of ratification began earlier, with Delaware becoming the first state to ratify the Constitution on December 7, 1787.
The Constitution was drafted by a committee appointed by the Second Continental Congress in mid-June 1777 and was adopted by the full Congress in mid-November of that year. However, ratification by the 13 colonies took more than three years and was completed on March 1, 1781. The Articles of Confederation gave little power to the central government, and it became clear that a stronger, more centralized government was needed to ensure future stability.
Delaware played a significant role in the adoption of the Constitution. On November 26, 1787, Delaware elected thirty delegates to a state convention to consider ratification. The delegates, meeting in Dover at Battell's Tavern, unanimously voted to ratify the Constitution on December 7, 1787. This unanimous decision was notable given Delaware's diverse political factions, and it set an important precedent for other states to follow.
The The United States Constitution was ratified on June 21, 1788, when New Hampshire became the ninth state to approve the document. However, the journey to ratification was long and arduous, beginning with the drafting of the Constitution in 1787. Delaware played a crucial role in this process as the first state to ratify the Constitution on December 7, 1787.
Delaware's road to becoming the first state to ratify the Constitution began with the election of thirty delegates to a state convention on November 26, 1787. These delegates convened in Dover at Battell's Tavern, also known as the Golden Fleece Tavern. Notably, Delaware's normally combative political factions unanimously favored the new constitution. This unanimous support was significant, as Delaware's example encouraged other states to follow suit and demonstrated the desire for a stronger national government than what the Articles of Confederation provided.
The Articles of Confederation, the first constitution of the United States, had been adopted in 1777 and ratified by the 13 colonies in 1781. However, it became apparent that the Articles gave too much political power to individual states, rendering the national government relatively powerless. This issue, among others, led to calls for a constitutional convention to reevaluate the nation's governing document.
Delaware's delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia contributed significantly to the process. They proposed solutions to address the representation concerns of small versus large states, ensuring that the interests of smaller states like Delaware were considered. This proposal ultimately addressed the issue of small state representation in the Senate, where each state is equally represented and state legislatures select the Senators.
Delaware's unanimous ratification of the Constitution on December 7, 1787, was celebrated with the proclamation of Delaware Day. Since 1933, the state has honored this day as a testament to its role in the formation of the United States.
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Ratification was completed on June 21, 1788
The United States Constitution was ratified on June 21, 1788, when New Hampshire became the ninth state to approve the document. This was a significant milestone in the formation of the United States of America, as it established the framework for the country's government. The journey towards ratification was long and challenging, with fierce debates between Federalists and Anti-Federalists. The Anti-Federalists opposed the Constitution, arguing that it did not adequately protect essential rights such as freedom of speech, religion, and the press.
The Constitution was crafted during the Constitutional Convention, which convened in Philadelphia on May 25, 1787. The convention was called to address the shortcomings of the Articles of Confederation, which had governed the country since its independence. The Articles of Confederation had granted limited powers to the central government, and it became evident that a stronger, more centralized government was necessary for future stability. Alexander Hamilton of New York led the call for a constitutional convention to reevaluate the nation's governing document, and the Confederation Congress endorsed his initiative.
The Constitutional Convention, which included delegates such as Alexander Hamilton and James Madison, crafted a new framework for governance. On September 17, 1787, the Convention concluded with the signing of the new U.S. Constitution by 38 out of 41 delegates present. However, the document would not become binding until it was ratified by at least nine of the 13 existing states. The first state to ratify the Constitution was Delaware on December 7, 1787, followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut.
The Federalists, led by Hamilton, Madison, and John Jay, worked tirelessly to rally support for the Constitution. They published rebuttals and explanations of the proposed government, including the 85 essays known as "The Federalist Papers." Meanwhile, the Anti-Federalists, including notable figures like John Hancock, Sam Adams, and Patrick Henry, fiercely opposed ratification. They criticized the strong central government and argued that the Convention had exceeded its authority. Despite this opposition, the Federalists achieved key victories, and by February 1788, Maryland and South Carolina had become the seventh and eighth states to ratify the Constitution.
Finally, on June 21, 1788, New Hampshire's approval pushed the number of ratifying states to nine, completing the ratification process. This marked the official adoption of the Constitution, and the new government officially began operating on March 4, 1789, with George Washington as the first President and John Adams as the first Vice President. The Constitution established a stronger federal government and laid out the purposes of the new government, including forming a more perfect union, establishing justice, and ensuring domestic tranquility.
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The Constitution was ratified by all 13 states by May 29, 1790
The United States Constitution was born in September 1787. However, it was not until June 21, 1788, that the document was adopted, when New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify it. The Constitution was ratified by all 13 states by May 29, 1790, when Rhode Island finally approved the document.
The road to ratification was long and challenging. The first state to ratify the Constitution was Delaware on December 7, 1787, followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut. Pennsylvania was a significant victory for the Federalists, despite facing strong opposition from the Anti-Federalists. The Anti-Federalists held enough influence in the state assembly to prevent a vote for a ratifying convention. Nevertheless, the Federalists prevailed, and the Constitution was ratified in Pennsylvania on December 12, 1787.
The Federalists faced fierce battles in other state conventions, particularly in New York, Massachusetts, and Virginia, where the Anti-Federalists retained considerable support. In New York, Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay published rebuttals to address concerns about the proposed government. Their efforts were captured in "The Federalist Papers," which helped refine the Constitution's principles and practices.
Massachusetts and Virginia posed significant challenges to the Federalists. In Massachusetts, prominent Patriots such as John Hancock and Sam Adams led the Anti-Federalist opposition. Meanwhile, Patrick Henry's passion and eloquence in Virginia hindered Federalist success in that state. Despite these setbacks, the Federalists made progress, with Maryland and South Carolina becoming the seventh and eighth states to ratify the Constitution.
On June 21, 1788, New Hampshire's ratification as the ninth state marked the official adoption of the Constitution. The new government officially began operating on March 4, 1789, with George Washington as President and John Adams as Vice President. The Constitution set the framework for the government of the United States, and the process of ratification involved intense debates, compromises, and victories for both Federalists and Anti-Federalists.
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The Bill of Rights was ratified on December 15, 1791
The United States Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, and ratified by the states on June 21, 1788. However, it was not ratified by all states until May 29, 1790, when Rhode Island approved the document.
The Bill of Rights, which comprises the first ten amendments to the US Constitution, was ratified on December 15, 1791. This was a significant milestone in the history of the United States, as it defined citizens' rights in relation to the newly established government under the Constitution.
The road to the ratification of the Bill of Rights began with the drafting of the Constitution itself. On May 25, 1787, representatives from all 13 states convened in Philadelphia to participate in a convention led by Alexander Hamilton from New York. The purpose of this convention was initially to amend the Articles of Confederation, which was the first constitution of the United States, drafted and adopted in 1777. However, the convention ultimately resulted in the proposal and creation of a new form of government.
The new US Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, by 38 out of 41 delegates present. Under Article VII, it was agreed that the document would only come into force upon its ratification by nine of the 13 existing states. Delaware was the first state to ratify the Constitution on December 7, 1787, and on June 21, 1788, New Hampshire became the ninth state to do so, making the Constitution the official framework of the US government.
However, some states voiced opposition to the Constitution, arguing that it did not adequately protect certain rights such as freedom of speech, religion, and the press. To address these concerns, the terms of the Massachusetts Compromise, reached in February 1788, stipulated that amendments would be proposed to protect these rights, resulting in what became the Bill of Rights.
On September 25, 1789, the First Congress of the United States proposed 12 amendments to the Constitution, 10 of which were ratified on December 15, 1791, by three-fourths of the state legislatures. These ratified amendments became the first 10 amendments to the Constitution, collectively known as the Bill of Rights.
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Frequently asked questions
The US Constitution was adopted on June 21, 1788, when New Hampshire became the ninth of 13 states to ratify it. The new government officially started operating on March 4, 1789.
The Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union was the first constitution of the United States. It was drafted in mid-June 1777 and was adopted by the full Congress in mid-November of that year.
Nine states were required to ratify the Constitution.
Delaware was the first state to ratify the Constitution on December 7, 1787, followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut.
The Articles of Confederation gave the Confederation Congress the power to make rules and request funds from the states, but it had no enforcement powers, couldn't regulate commerce, or print money.
