The Constitution's Signing: A Historical Event

The United States Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The signing of the United States Constitution occurred when 39 delegates to the Constitutional Convention, representing 12 states (all but Rhode Island, which declined to send delegates), endorsed the Constitution. The Constitution includes four sections: an introductory paragraph titled Preamble, a list of seven Articles that define the government's framework, an untitled closing endorsement with the signatures of 39 framers, and 27 amendments that have been adopted under Article V.

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The US Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787

The final document, signed by 39 of the 42 remaining delegates, established the framework for the nation's federal government, delineating the roles of its three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. It also introduced a system of checks and balances to prevent any one branch from holding too much power. The signing ceremony took place in Independence Hall, the same location where the Declaration of Independence had been signed.

The Constitution was drafted in secret during the summer of 1787. A Committee of Style and Arrangement, including prominent figures like Alexander Hamilton and James Madison, was tasked with distilling a final draft from the approved articles. Despite some delegates expressing disappointment with the compromises made, the final document was endorsed and signed, with Benjamin Franklin's address playing a pivotal role in gaining support for the Constitution.

Within three days of its signing, the Constitution was submitted to the Congress of the Confederation in New York City, the nation's temporary capital. However, it did not immediately go into effect upon signing. The ratification process, as outlined in Article VII, required the approval of nine of the thirteen states. On June 21, 1788, New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify the Constitution, paving the way for the establishment of a new government.

The US Constitution, signed on September 17, 1787, laid the foundation for the nation's governing principles and continues to be the supreme law of the land. It separated powers between the states and the federal government, outlined the duties of the government, and enshrined the idea that the people are the source of the government's legitimacy.

39 delegates endorsed the Constitution

The US Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This four-page document established the government of the United States, outlining the nation's federal government and delineating how its three branches (legislative, executive, and judicial) are to function.

The signing of the US Constitution was the culmination of a four-month-long Constitutional Convention that began on May 25, 1787. The convention was convened to revise the Articles of Confederation, but it became clear that a new frame of government was needed. The final draft of the Constitution, presented on September 12, was the result of discussions and debates among the delegates.

Of the 74 delegates chosen to attend the convention, 55 participated, and 39 signed the Constitution. The signers represented a cross-section of 18th-century American leadership, with experience in local, colonial, and state governments. Twelve of the thirteen states were represented, with Rhode Island declining to send delegates. The signatures of the 39 delegates, including Benjamin Franklin, the oldest signer at 81, and Jonathan Dayton, the youngest at 26, endorsed the Constitution.

The closing endorsement of the Constitution, which included the signatures, served as an authentication function. It included a brief declaration stating that the delegates' work had been successfully completed and that those who signed subscribed to the final document. The convention's secretary, William Jackson, added a note verifying four amendments made to the document and signed to authenticate its validity.

The signing took place at Independence Hall, Philadelphia

The United States Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia. Independence Hall is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and part of the US National Park Service and Independence National Historical Park. It is located at 143 S. 3rd Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and is open to the public for visits and tours.

The Federal Convention convened in the State House (Independence Hall) in Philadelphia on May 14, 1787, to revise the Articles of Confederation. The initial purpose of the convention was to amend the Articles of Confederation. However, the outcome was the proposal and creation of a new form of government. The delegates adjourned until a quorum of seven states was obtained on May 25, 1787.

The final draft of the Constitution, containing seven articles, a preamble, and a closing endorsement, was presented to the convention on September 12, 1787. The document was signed by 39 framers, including founding fathers such as Benjamin Franklin. The signing took place in the Assembly Room, where George Washington's "rising sun" chair remains to this day.

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 Constitution was ratified by nine of the 13 existing states, with New Hampshire becoming the ninth and final state to ratify it on June 21, 1788.

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The document was drafted in secret during the summer of 1787

The United States Constitution was drafted in secret during the summer of 1787. The Federal Convention convened in the State House (now known as Independence Hall) in Philadelphia 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. The delegates to the convention, representing 12 states (all except Rhode Island, which did not send delegates), worked for four months to create the Constitution.

The final draft of the Constitution was presented to the convention on September 12, 1787, and it was signed just a few days later on September 17. The signing took place in the Assembly Room of the Pennsylvania State House, now known as Independence Hall, in Philadelphia. Of the 74 delegates who were chosen to attend the convention, 55 participated, and 39 ultimately signed the document. The youngest signer was 26-year-old Jonathan Dayton, while the oldest was 81-year-old Benjamin Franklin.

The signing of the Constitution was a significant moment in American history, as it established the government of the United States. The document outlines the nation's federal government and delineates the functions of its three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. It also sets up a system of checks and balances to ensure no one branch holds too much power. The Constitution continues to be the supreme law of the land, shaping the country's political and legal landscape.

The process of drafting the Constitution was conducted under an oath of secrecy. The public first saw the Constitution when it was published in a newspaper, "The Pennsylvania Packet and Daily Advertiser," on September 19, 1787, two days after it was signed. The original signed, handwritten Constitution is now housed in the National Archives in Washington, D.C.

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 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 decided to draft a new form of government, resulting in the creation of the United States Constitution.

The Constitution was signed by 39 delegates representing 12 states, with Rhode Island being the only state that did not send delegates. The signatures on the Constitution served as an endorsement, indicating the delegates' completion of their work and their agreement with the final document. The signing of the Constitution was preceded by discussions and debates, and a Committee of Style and Arrangement was appointed to distill a final draft. Despite some delegates expressing dissatisfaction with certain parts of the Constitution, it was accepted as a practical framework for the nation's government.

Following the signing of the Constitution, the document underwent a ratification process, as outlined in Article VII. This process required the ratification of nine out of the 13 existing states for the Constitution to become binding. 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 state to ratify the Constitution, marking a significant step towards its implementation.

The ratification process addressed concerns raised by some states about the lack of protection for certain rights, such as freedom of speech, religion, and the press. The Massachusetts Compromise reached in February 1788, assured that amendments would be proposed to address these issues, leading to the creation of the Bill of Rights. The ratification process culminated in the establishment of a new government on March 4, 1789, with the Constitution becoming the supreme law of the land.

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