Jonah Patel
The final draft of the US Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, in the Assembly Room of the Pennsylvania State House, now known as Independence Hall, in Philadelphia. The drafting of the Constitution, often referred to as its framing, was completed at the Constitutional Convention, which assembled between May 25 and September 17, 1787. The final draft contained seven articles, a preamble and a closing endorsement, with Gouverneur Morris as its primary author.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of completion | September 17, 1787 |
| Location | Assembly Room of the Pennsylvania State House, now known as Independence Hall, Philadelphia |
| Number of articles in the final draft | 7 |
| Other contents | A preamble and a closing endorsement |
| Author of the final draft | Gouverneur Morris |
| Scribe of the final draft | Jacob Shallus |
| Number of signers | 39 of 55 original delegates |
| Date of ratification | June 21, 1788 |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
The final draft was presented on September 12, 1787
The final draft of the U.S. Constitution was presented on September 12, 1787, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The drafting process began on May 25, 1787, when the Constitutional Convention first met at the Pennsylvania State House, now known as Independence Hall. The Convention was tasked with revising the Articles of Confederation, which had been the first constitution of the United States, but it soon became clear that a new constitution was needed.
A "Committee of Detail" was appointed to draft a constitution, and on August 6, 1787, the Convention accepted their first draft. This draft served as the foundation for the final document, which was presented five weeks later. The Committee of Detail included John Rutledge, Edmund Randolph, Nathaniel Gorham, Oliver Ellsworth, and James Wilson.
After the first draft was accepted, the delegates began to consider the various sections in detail, and the spirit of compromise that had characterised the previous days gave way to more fervent debate. The final draft was the result of months of thoughtful deliberation, debate, and compromise among the delegates. Many individuals made important contributions, including James Madison, who is often referred to as the "Father of the Constitution."
The final draft presented on September 12, 1787, contained seven articles, a preamble, and a closing endorsement. Gouverneur Morris, also known as the "penman of the Constitution," did most of the work on the final draft, condensing the 23 articles of the previous draft into seven. The final draft was then taken up at the convention's final session on September 17, 1787, and signed by 39 of the 41 delegates present.
PO Box vs Branch Office: What's the Legal Difference?
You may want to see also
The drafting began on May 25, 1787
The drafting of the United States Constitution began on May 25, 1787, when the Constitutional Convention met for the first time at the Pennsylvania State House (now known as Independence Hall) in Philadelphia. Freshly spread dirt covered the cobblestone street in front of the building, protecting the delegates inside from the sound of passing carriages and carts. Guards stood at the entrances to ensure that no onlookers interrupted the proceedings.
The Constitutional Convention was called to revise the Articles of Confederation, which had proven ineffective in meeting the needs of the young nation. However, the Convention soon abandoned the Articles, drafting a new Constitution with a much stronger national government. The initial mandate was limited to amending the Articles of Confederation, but almost immediately, delegates began considering measures to replace them. The first proposal discussed, introduced by delegates from Virginia, called for a bicameral (two-house) Congress that would be elected on a proportional basis based on state population, an elected chief executive, and an appointed judicial branch.
On July 26, 1787, after two months of fierce debate over the structure and powers of a new federal government, the Constitutional Convention was ready to commit its resolutions to writing. A "Committee of Detail", composed of John Rutledge, Edmund Randolph, Nathaniel Gorham, Oliver Ellsworth, and James Wilson, was appointed to draft a written constitution. The Convention adjourned until August 6, and during the recess, the committee studied the Convention's resolutions, state constitutions, the Articles of Confederation, and other applicable reports and documents. Edmund Randolph of Virginia wrote out a rough draft of a constitution, which James Wilson revised, and the committee reviewed. A clean copy was then sent to prominent Philadelphia printers John Dunlap and David Claypoole, who printed a small number of copies for use by the delegates. The draft was kept secret to avoid controversy.
On August 6, 1787, the convention accepted the first draft of the Constitution. This draft served as the article-by-article model from which the final document would result five weeks later. As the members began to consider the various sections, the willingness to compromise of previous days quickly evaporated. The most serious controversy erupted over the question of regulating commerce, with the southern states fearing that a New England-dominated Congress might severely damage the South's economic life through export taxes. On August 21, the debate over commerce became closely linked to another explosive issue: slavery.
Foundations of Freedom: The US Constitution's Preamble
You may want to see also
The final draft was signed on September 17, 1787
The final draft of the US Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, in the Assembly Room of the Pennsylvania State House, now known as Independence Hall, in Philadelphia. This was the culmination of a process that began on May 25, 1787, when the Constitutional Convention first met to revise the Articles of Confederation, which had been the first constitution of the United States. However, the delegates soon began considering measures to replace the Articles, and the final draft of the Constitution that emerged from this process was a document with a much stronger national government.
The Constitutional Convention was composed of delegates from 12 of the 13 original states; Rhode Island refused to send delegates. The delegates were chosen by their state legislatures, and many had fought in the Revolutionary War and served in Congress. The convention was presided over by George Washington, with Robert Morris of Pennsylvania delivering the opening address.
The drafting process was a collaborative effort involving several committees and many delegates. A "Committee of Detail" was formed on July 24, 1787, to draft a constitution reflective of the resolutions passed by the convention. This committee included John Rutledge (South Carolina), Edmund Randolph (Virginia), Nathaniel Gorham (Massachusetts), Oliver Ellsworth (Connecticut), and James Wilson (Pennsylvania). The committee presented a 23-article (plus preamble) constitution, which was discussed and revised over several weeks.
On September 8, a "Committee of Style and Arrangement" was elected to revise and arrange the agreed-upon articles of the Constitution. This committee included Alexander Hamilton (New York), William Samuel Johnson (Connecticut), Rufus King (Massachusetts), James Madison (Virginia), and Gouverneur Morris (Pennsylvania). They condensed the 23 articles into seven and completed their draft on September 12, 1787. This draft was presented to the convention on September 12 and contained seven articles, a preamble, and a closing endorsement, with Morris as the primary author.
The final document was engrossed by Jacob Shallus, the assistant clerk for the Pennsylvania General Assembly, and taken up by the convention on September 17, 1787. Several delegates were disappointed in the result, and three refused to sign. Of the 55 original delegates, only 41 were present, and 39 signed the final draft. Benjamin Franklin, despite his reservations, accepted the Constitution, saying, "I am not sure I shall never approve them." The signing of the Constitution on September 17 is now commemorated as Constitution Day.
Understanding the Reasoning Behind India's Constitutional Principles
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$9.95
The signing took place in Philadelphia
The signing of the United States Constitution took place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall (formerly known as the Pennsylvania State House). This event marked the culmination of a four-month-long Constitutional Convention, which began on May 1787, with the goal of revising the Articles of Confederation.
Independence Hall in Philadelphia holds significant historical importance as the birthplace of the U.S. Constitution. The hall witnessed the gathering of delegates from 12 states (all except Rhode Island, which declined to send representatives) during the Constitutional Convention. These delegates, representing a cross-section of 18th-century American leadership, engaged in deliberations and debates to shape the nation's future.
The final draft of the Constitution, presented on September 12, 1787, contained seven articles, a preamble, and a closing endorsement. However, not all delegates were satisfied with the result, and some left before the signing ceremony. Despite this, 39 delegates endorsed the Constitution, including Benjamin Franklin, who, despite his reservations, accepted it, stating, "There are several parts of this Constitution which I do not at present approve, but I am not sure I shall never approve them."
The signing of the Constitution in Philadelphia holds immense significance in American history. It represented a unified vision of human freedom and a plan for a new form of republican government. The document outlined the nation's federal government structure and delineated the functions of its three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. The signing ceremony in Philadelphia marked a pivotal moment in the nation's transition from the Articles of Confederation to the Constitution as the supreme law of the land.
The Constitution: Logic or Flexible Interpretation?
You may want to see also
The final draft was written by Gouverneur Morris
The US Constitution is the oldest and longest-standing written and codified national constitution in force in the world. The drafting of the Constitution, often referred to as its framing, was completed at the Constitutional Convention, which assembled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on May 25, 1787. The convention met for the first time with a quorum at the Pennsylvania State House (now known as Independence Hall) to revise the Articles of Confederation. The convention ended on September 17, 1787, the day the Frame of Government drafted by the convention's delegates to replace the Articles was adopted and signed. The final draft was presented to the convention on September 12, 1787, and it contained seven articles, a preamble, and a closing endorsement.
Gouverneur Morris of Pennsylvania, who chaired the convention's Committee of Style and Arrangement, was the primary author of the final draft. He is also credited with coining the Constitution's opening words, "We the People," which represented a new thought: the idea that the people and not the states were the source of the government's legitimacy. Morris improved on the section's original draft, which followed "We the People" with a list of the 13 states. Instead, he substituted "of the United States" and then listed the Constitution's six goals, none of which were mentioned in the original draft.
The Committee of Style and Arrangement was formed on September 8, 1787, after the convention accepted the first draft of the Constitution on August 6 and discussed it section by section and clause by clause. The committee included notable figures such as Alexander Hamilton from New York, William Samuel Johnson from Connecticut, and Rufus King. The Committee of Style and Arrangement was tasked with turning the Constitution over to a final draft, and Gouverneur Morris played a pivotal role as the chief architect. In a letter to Timothy Pickering, Morris acknowledged his central role in drafting the Constitution, stating, "That Instrument was written by the Fingers which wrote this letter."
The Constitutional Convention witnessed months of thoughtful deliberation, debate, and compromise among the delegates. Many individuals, including James Madison, made significant contributions to the Constitution. Madison, often referred to as the "Father of the Constitution," provided valuable insights into the drafting process through his detailed notes of the proceedings. The Committee of Detail, which included John Rutledge, Edmund Randolph, Nathaniel Gorham, Oliver Ellsworth, and James Wilson, was responsible for drafting the first constitution reflective of the resolutions passed by the convention. The Committee of Detail's report, presented on August 6, 1787, proposed a twenty-three-article (plus preamble) constitution.
Washington's Role: Declaration and Constitution Co-Author
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The final draft of the US Constitution was completed and signed on September 17, 1787.
The final draft of the US Constitution was primarily authored by Gouverneur Morris, who is often referred to as the "penman of the Constitution".
The Committee of Detail was a committee elected to draft a first draft constitution reflective of the Resolutions passed by the convention. The committee included John Rutledge, Edmund Randolph, Nathaniel Gorham, Oliver Ellsworth, and James Wilson.
The Constitutional Convention, also known as the Philadelphia Convention, was assembled to revise the Articles of Confederation, which had proven ineffective in meeting the nation's needs. The Convention ultimately abandoned the Articles and drafted a new Constitution with a stronger national government.
