Omar Bennett
The Constitution of the State of Maine was approved on October 20, 1819, by 210 delegates to the Maine Constitutional Convention in Portland. It was signed by William King, who was later elected the first Governor of Maine. The Maine Constitution was then approved by the U.S. Congress on March 4, 1820, as part of the Missouri Compromise, and Maine officially became a state on March 15, 1820.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | September 17, 1787 |
| Location | Independence Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Number of Signatures | 39 |
| Number of Delegates Present | 41 or 42 |
| Number of Delegates Who Refused to Sign | 3 or 4 |
| Number of States Represented | 12 |
| State Not Represented | Rhode Island |
| Oldest Signer | Benjamin Franklin (81 years old) |
| Youngest Signer | Jonathan Dayton (26 years old) |
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What You'll Learn
The US Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787
The delegates at the convention had been tasked with amending the Articles of Confederation, but they ultimately decided to create a new form of government. The Constitution they drafted laid out a framework for the nation's federal government and delineated how its three branches—the legislative, executive, and judicial—would function.
The signing of the Constitution was the culmination of a process that began in May 1787, when the Constitutional Convention first assembled in Philadelphia. The delegates to the convention were concerned about the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, which gave the Confederation Congress limited powers and had nearly torn the young country apart.
The final draft of the Constitution, presented to the convention on September 12, 1787, contained seven articles, a preamble, and a closing endorsement. The document was signed by 38 of the 41 delegates present, with George Reed signing on behalf of the absent John Dickinson of Delaware, bringing the total number of signatures to 39.
The signing of the Constitution was a significant moment in American history, as it established a new form of government and laid the foundation for the nation's future stability and success. However, it is worth noting that several delegates were disappointed with the result, and some even refused to sign the document.
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39 delegates signed the document
The US 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. All but Rhode Island, which declined to send delegates, were represented at the convention.
The 39 delegates who signed the document were among 74 individuals selected to attend the convention. A number of them could not or chose not to attend. In total, 55 delegates participated in the convention, though 13 of them dropped out, either for personal reasons or in protest over decisions made during the convention. Three individuals remained engaged in the work of the convention until its completion, but then refused to sign the final draft.
The 39 delegates signed the document as individual witnesses to what was done in the convention, rather than on behalf of particular states, as they had in the Articles of Confederation. The names of the delegates are grouped by state, with the listing of states arranged geographically, from north to south.
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. George Washington, as president of the Convention, signed first.
The US Constitution lays out the framework of the nation's federal government and delineates how its three branches (legislative, executive, and judicial) are to function. Of the 39 who signed the document, virtually every one had taken part in the American Revolution; seven had signed the Declaration of Independence, and 30 had served on active military duty.
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The signing took place at Independence Hall, Philadelphia
The Maine Constitution was approved by all 210 delegates to the Maine Constitutional Convention, held in Portland, Maine, on October 20, 1819. It was signed by William King, who would later become the first Governor of Maine. The Maine Constitution was then approved by the U.S. Congress on March 4, 1820, as part of the Missouri Compromise, since the document did not recognise slavery. Maine officially became a state on March 15, 1820, and its constitution is the fourth-oldest operating state constitution in the United States.
The building was originally constructed between 1732 and 1753 as the Pennsylvania State House, serving as the colonial government's seat. It was designed by Edmund Woolley and Andrew Hamilton in the Georgian architectural style, featuring a distinctive bell tower. The tower houses the famous Liberty Bell, which rang to mark the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence.
Over the years, Independence Hall has played a pivotal role in shaping the country's history. In addition to the Declaration of Independence, it served as the site for the Second Continental Congress from 1775 to 1781. This was a critical period in the formation of the United States, as the Congress functioned as the de facto national government during the American Revolution. The Congress was responsible for raising armies, directing strategy, and appointing diplomats to negotiate with foreign governments.
Beyond the Revolution, Independence Hall continued to be a focal point for significant events. In 1787, delegates from across the nation gathered here to debate and draft the United States Constitution. This was a pivotal moment, as the Constitution established the structure and principles that continue to govern the country today. The signing of the Constitution in this hallowed hall cemented Independence Hall's place in American history.
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The document was drafted in secret during the summer of 1787
The United States Constitution was drafted in the summer of 1787, in the Assembly Room of the Pennsylvania State House in Philadelphia. The Federal Convention convened on May 14, 1787, with the goal of revising the Articles of Confederation. However, it soon became clear that a new constitution would need to be drafted.
The delegates to the convention, fifty-five men, worked in closed sessions throughout the summer. The chief points of debate were the balance of power between the central government and the states, the number of representatives in Congress for each state, and how these representatives should be elected.
The first draft of the Constitution was accepted on August 6, 1787. The final draft was submitted to the people of the states for approval, and the absence of a bill of rights was a serious objection. However, supporters promised to quickly work to add a bill of rights, and this likely helped the document gain approval for ratification.
The Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, marking the establishment of the government of the United States.
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The Constitution established the government of the United States
The Constitution of the United States established a federal government that could effectively regulate commerce, tax, and set commercial policy. It also provided a framework for the country's government, outlining the powers and responsibilities of the three branches: the executive, legislative, and judicial.
The Constitution was written and signed by the Founding Fathers, including George Washington, who was unanimously elected president of the Philadelphia convention in 1787. The Virginian James Madison, who believed that the Articles of Confederation gave too much power to the states, played a significant role in its creation. Madison was convinced of the need for a bill of rights to guarantee individual liberties, such as freedom of speech and religion, and to protect against potential oppression. He worked tirelessly to persuade the House to enact amendments, and on October 2, 1789, President Washington sent 12 amendments to each of the states for adoption.
The Constitution established a strong central government, addressing the concerns of anti-Federalists like Bryan, who feared the new government would become controlled by wealthy, established families. The Constitution provided for a government that could support a war effort and settle disputes between states, powers that were lacking under the Articles of Confederation.
The Constitution also established a system of checks and balances to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful. It outlined the process for electing representatives, such as the requirement for senators and representatives to be chosen by a joint ballot, and the eligibility criteria for voting.
The US Constitution served as an inspiration and model for other constitutions, including the Constitution of Maine, which was approved by Congress in 1820 as part of the Missouri Compromise. The Maine Constitution established the State of Maine as a free and independent entity, with a focus on justice, tranquility, mutual defence, and the promotion of common welfare.
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Frequently asked questions
The Maine Constitution was approved by Congress on March 4, 1820, as part of the Missouri Compromise.
The Maine Constitution was approved by all 210 delegates to the Maine Constitutional Convention on October 20, 1819, in Portland, Maine.
The Maine Constitution was signed by William King, who was the president of the Constitutional Convention and was later elected the first Governor of Maine.
