Isabella Carter
The United States Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 delegates ultimately drafted a new form of government, creating a four-page document that established the federal government of the United States and delineated its three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. Of the 74 delegates chosen, 55 attended, and 39 signed the Constitution, with several delegates leaving before the ceremony and three refusing to sign. The Constitution was then ratified by the states, with New Hampshire becoming the ninth and final state needed for ratification on June 21, 1788.
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What You'll Learn
The US Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787
The signing of the US Constitution occurred during the Constitutional Convention, which began on May 14, 1787, in the State House (Independence Hall) in Philadelphia. The purpose of the convention was initially to revise the Articles of Confederation, but it became clear by mid-June that the delegates intended to draft an entirely new form of government. The final draft of the Constitution was presented to the convention on September 12 and was signed by 39 delegates on September 17, representing 12 states (all but Rhode Island, which declined to send delegates).
The process of creating the US Constitution was a collaborative effort involving many influential figures. The document was drafted in secret by delegates to the Constitutional Convention, including Alexander Hamilton from New York, William Samuel Johnson from Connecticut, Rufus King from Massachusetts, James Madison from Virginia, and Gouverneur Morris from Pennsylvania. Benjamin Franklin, the oldest signer at 81, delivered an address endorsing the Constitution despite its imperfections. He summed up the sentiments of those who signed the document, acknowledging that while there were aspects they did not approve of, they accepted it as the best option available.
The US Constitution is a significant document in American history, as it provided a framework for the nation's government and helped spread democratic ideals worldwide. It continues to be the supreme law of the land and is celebrated and debated at places like the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia. The original signed, handwritten Constitution is carefully preserved at the National Archives in Washington, D.C.
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39 delegates signed the Constitution
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. The 13th state, Rhode Island, declined to send delegates.
The Federal Convention of 1787 was convened to revise the Articles of Confederation. However, it became clear by mid-June that, rather than amend the existing Articles, the Convention would draft an entirely new form of government. The final draft, presented to the convention on September 12, contained seven articles, a preamble, and a closing endorsement.
The 39 delegates whose names are inscribed upon the proposed constitution include John Dickinson, who, due to illness, authorised George Read to sign his name by proxy. The convention's secretary, William Jackson, also signed the document to authenticate some corrections. The signatures were preceded by a brief declaration that the delegates' work had been successfully completed and that those whose signatures appear on it subscribe to the final document.
The document was signed by delegates representing the following 12 states: Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Maryland.
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The signing took place at Independence Hall, Philadelphia
The signing of the United States Constitution took place at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, also known as the Pennsylvania State House, on September 17, 1787. Independence Hall was also the site of the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, and the birthplace of the United States.
The Federal Convention convened in Independence Hall, then known as the State House, on May 14, 1787, with the initial purpose of revising the Articles of Confederation. However, it soon became clear that the convention would instead draft an entirely new form of government. Representatives from twelve states gathered to shape the Constitution, creating one unified nation. The final document was engrossed by Jacob Shallus and presented to the convention on September 12, 1787.
Independence Hall, located at 143 S. 3rd Street in Philadelphia, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and part of the Independence National Historical Park. The building is open to the public for guided and self-guided tours, with tickets available online or by phone. The hall is also home to the Liberty Bell, an international symbol of civil rights.
The Constitution was signed by 39 framers, including Benjamin Franklin, who famously stated that while he did not approve of several parts of the document, he accepted it as he "expected no better." The signing of the Constitution established the government of the United States, with its preamble laying out the purposes of the new government: "We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity..."
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The document was drafted in secret
The United States Constitution was drafted in the summer of 1787 during the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, also known as the Philadelphia Convention. The drafting was conducted in secret, under an oath of secrecy, and the final document was signed on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The signing ceremony marked the conclusion of the four-month-long convention, which had brought together delegates from twelve of the thirteen states, with Rhode Island declining to send representatives.
The Constitutional Convention was convened on May 25, 1787, with the initial purpose of amending the existing Articles of Confederation. However, as discussions progressed, it became clear that a new framework of government would need to be established. The final draft of the Constitution, presented on September 12, was the culmination of months of debate and deliberation among the delegates.
The secret nature of the drafting process reflected the sensitive and complex nature of the task at hand. The delegates were engaged in the challenging work of creating a new governing document for a newly formed nation comprised of independent states. The need for secrecy was underscored by the fact that the final document was not immediately made public. Instead, it was submitted to the Congress of the Confederation in New York City, the nation's temporary capital, within three days of its signing.
The secrecy surrounding the drafting process also highlights the importance of confidentiality in shaping significant agreements. The delegates understood the potential consequences of their work and the need to conduct discussions and negotiations without outside influence or interference. By keeping the process confidential, they could explore various ideas, compromise, and build consensus without the pressure of public scrutiny or political posturing.
The signing of the Constitution was a significant moment in American history, as it established the framework for the nation's federal government and delineated the functions of its three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. The document was signed by 39 delegates, including Benjamin Franklin, who summed up the sentiments of those who, despite having reservations about certain parts, chose to accept the Constitution as a necessary step toward a stronger and more unified nation.
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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 place 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 Federal Convention initially convened in the State House (Independence Hall) in Philadelphia on May 14, 1787, to revise the Articles of Confederation. However, it soon became clear that, rather than amend the existing Articles, the Convention would draft an entirely new form of government.
The Constitution was signed by 39 delegates to the Constitutional Convention, representing 12 states (all but Rhode Island, which declined to send delegates). The signatures were endorsed by a brief declaration that the delegates' work had been successfully completed and that those whose signatures appear on it subscribe to the final document. The document also included a statement pronouncing the document's adoption by the states present and a formulaic dating of its adoption. The convention's secretary, William Jackson, added a note to verify four amendments made by hand to the final document and signed the note to authenticate its validity.
The Constitution was not 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 New York City, the nation's temporary capital.
The ratification process was established by Article VII of the Constitution, which states that "The Ratification of the Conventions of nine States, shall be sufficient for the Establishment of this Constitution between the States so ratifying the Same." The Archivist submits the proposed amendment to the states for their consideration by sending a letter of notification to each Governor. Each Governor then formally submits the amendment to their state's legislature. When a state ratifies a proposed amendment, it sends the Archivist an original or certified copy of the state's action. Ratification documents are examined by the Office of the Federal Register for facial legal sufficiency and an authenticating signature.
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Frequently asked questions
The US Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787.
The US Constitution was signed at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The US Constitution was signed by 39 delegates to the Constitutional Convention, representing 12 states.
The US Constitution is the fundamental framework of America's system of government. It separates the powers of government into three branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial.
The US Constitution is a charter of government that continues to be the supreme law of the land. It establishes a system of checks and balances to ensure no one branch of government has too much power.
