Isabella Carter
The United States Constitution, a four-page document outlining the framework for the nation's federal government, was signed on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The signing of the Constitution occurred during the Constitutional Convention, which began on May 25, 1787, and lasted for four months. The Constitution was created to establish a stronger, more centralized government for the newly formed nation of states. It was drafted in secret and signed by 39 delegates, representing 12 states (all except Rhode Island, which did not send delegates). The document was later ratified by the states, with New Hampshire becoming the ninth and final state needed for ratification on June 21, 1788.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | September 17, 1787 |
| Location | Independence Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Number of delegates present | 41 or 42 |
| Number of delegates who signed | 38 or 39 |
| Number of states represented | 12 |
| Number of states that did not send delegates | 1 (Rhode Island) |
| Age of youngest signer | 26 (Jonathan Dayton) |
| Age of oldest signer | 81 (Benjamin Franklin) |
| Number of signatures required for ratification | 9 |
| Date of ratification | June 21, 1788 |
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What You'll Learn
The US Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787
The final document, prepared by Jacob Shallus, was presented on September 17 at the convention's closing session. Of the 42 delegates present, 39 endorsed the Constitution, including a young Alexander Hamilton from New York. The signatories included seven signers of the Declaration of Independence and 30 individuals with military experience. Benjamin Franklin, at 81, was the oldest signer, while Jonathan Dayton, at 26, was the youngest.
The signing of the Constitution was preceded by intense discussions and debates. A Committee of Style and Arrangement, including Hamilton, William Samuel Johnson, Rufus King, James Madison, and Gouverneur Morris, was tasked with distilling a final draft from the approved articles. Despite their efforts, several delegates were disappointed with the final document, viewing it as a series of compromises. Some left before the signing ceremony, and three others refused to sign.
The US Constitution established the nation's federal government and outlined the roles of its three branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial. It also introduced a system of checks and balances to prevent any single branch from holding excessive power. The Constitution's Preamble, with its famous opening words, "We the People," emphasised that the government derived its legitimacy from the people, not the states.
Constitution Day, established by law in 2004, is observed annually on September 17 to commemorate the signing of this foundational document. The original, handwritten Constitution is preserved at the National Archives in Washington, D.C., and an original copy of the first public printing is held at the National Constitution Center.
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39 delegates signed the document
The US Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This was the same location where the Declaration of Independence was signed. The signing of the Constitution occurred during the Constitutional Convention, which had convened on May 25, 1787, with the aim of amending the Articles of Confederation. However, the convention ultimately resulted in the drafting of a new form of government for the newly formed nation.
The Constitution was signed by 39 delegates, representing 12 states. Rhode Island declined to send delegates to the convention. Of the 74 delegates who were chosen, 55 attended, and 39 signed. Several attendees left before the signing ceremony, and three of the 42 who remained refused to sign. The youngest signer was 26-year-old Jonathan Dayton, and the oldest was 81-year-old Benjamin Franklin. Interestingly, John Dickinson, who was indisposed by illness, authorised George Read to sign on his behalf. Additionally, the convention's secretary, William Jackson, signed the document to authenticate some corrections.
The 39 signatures appear in the closing endorsement section of the Constitution, which also includes a brief declaration stating that the delegates' work had been successfully completed and that those who signed the document subscribed to its final form. The closing endorsement also included a formulaic dating of its adoption and a statement pronouncing the document's adoption by the states present.
The signing of the Constitution was a significant event in American history, as it established the framework for the nation's federal government and delineated the functions of its three branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial. The Constitution continues to be the supreme law of the land, and its signing is commemorated annually on Constitution Day, which is observed on September 17.
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The signing took place in Philadelphia
The signing of the United States Constitution took place in Philadelphia, in the Assembly Room of the Pennsylvania State House, now known as Independence Hall. This was the same location where the Declaration of Independence was signed. The Constitutional Convention, also known as the Philadelphia Convention, was convened on May 25, 1787, with the purpose of amending the Articles of Confederation. However, the delegates ultimately decided to draft a new form of government, resulting in the creation of the U.S. Constitution.
The Federal Convention was initially attended by delegates from only two states, but they continued to adjourn until a quorum of seven states was achieved on May 25. The convention was tasked with revising the Articles of Confederation, but by mid-June, it became clear that a new framework of government would be necessary. The final draft of the Constitution was presented to the convention on September 12 and was signed on September 17, 1787, marking the conclusion of the four-month-long convention.
Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, witnessed the endorsement of the Constitution by 39 delegates representing 12 states. Rhode Island declined to send delegates, but the remaining 11 state delegations and the lone delegate from New York, Alexander Hamilton, provided unanimous support. The signing ceremony was a significant event, with 39 of the 55 delegates in attendance adding their signatures to the document. Benjamin Franklin, at 81, was the oldest signer, while Jonathan Dayton, at 26, was the youngest.
The signing of the Constitution in Philadelphia marked a pivotal moment in American history. It established the framework for the nation's federal government and delineated the functions of its three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. The document also emphasised the idea that the people, rather than the states, were the source of the government's legitimacy, as reflected in its opening words, "We the People". The Constitution continues to be the supreme law of the land, shaping the country's political and legal landscape.
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The document was drafted in secret
The United States Constitution was drafted in secret during the summer of 1787. The Federal Convention convened in the State House (Independence Hall) in Philadelphia on May 14, 1787, with the initial purpose of revising the Articles of Confederation. However, as more delegates arrived, it became clear that a new frame of government would need to be drafted.
The Constitutional Convention was conducted under an oath of secrecy. The delegates to the convention, representing 12 states (all except Rhode Island, which did not send delegates), secretly drafted the four-page document that would become the United States Constitution. The final draft, presented on September 12, 1787, contained seven articles, a preamble, and a closing endorsement.
The signing of the Constitution occurred on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Of the 74 delegates chosen to attend the convention, 55 participated, and 39 signed the document. Several delegates left before the ceremony, and three others refused to sign. The signatures were grouped by state, with the listing of states arranged geographically from north to south.
The closing endorsement of the Constitution included a brief declaration stating that the delegates' work had been successfully completed and that those who signed the document subscribed to its contents. The convention's secretary, William Jackson, added a note verifying four amendments made by hand and signed to authenticate the document's validity.
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The Constitution was ratified by the states
The United States Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Independence Hall is the same location where the Declaration of Independence was signed. The Constitution was drafted in secret by delegates to the Constitutional Convention during the summer of 1787. The document was signed by 39 delegates to the convention, representing 12 states (all but Rhode Island, which declined to send delegates). The signatures of the delegates are grouped by state, from north to south.
The Constitution was then ratified by the states. Article VII of the Constitution established that the document would not be binding until its ratification by 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. On June 21, 1788, New Hampshire became the ninth and final state needed to ratify the Constitution. Within three days of its signing, the Constitution was submitted to the Congress of the Confederation, then sitting in the nation's temporary capital of New York City.
The ratification process involved each state's legislature considering the proposed amendment and sending an original or certified copy of their action to the Archivist. The Office of the Federal Register examines the ratification documents for facial legal sufficiency and an authenticating signature. Article V shields certain clauses in the new frame of government from being amended, including the Constitutional rule that direct taxes must be apportioned according to state populations.
The Constitution continues to be the supreme law of the land and the fundamental framework of America's system of government. It separates the powers of government into three branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial. It also sets up a system of checks and balances to ensure no one branch has too much power, and it divides power between the states and the federal government.
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Frequently asked questions
The US Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
39 delegates to the Constitutional Convention signed the US Constitution, representing 12 states (all but Rhode Island, which declined to send delegates).
The US Constitution established the government of the United States and delineates how its three branches (legislative, executive, and judicial) are to function.
