
The Constitution of the United States was officially ratified and approved on 21 June 1788, when New Hampshire became the ninth of 13 states to ratify it. This was ten months after delegates approved the final document at the Constitutional Convention of 1787. However, it wasn't until 1790 that all states finally agreed and ratified the Constitution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of ratification | 21st June 1788 |
| Date of finalisation | 17th September 1787 |
| Date of full ratification by all states | 1790 |
| Number of states required for ratification | 9 out of 13 |
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What You'll Learn
- The US Constitution was ratified on 21 June 1788
- Nine states were required to ratify the Constitution
- The final document was approved by delegates on 17 September 1787
- The Constitution was ratified by Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut
- The Constitution was ratified by New Hampshire

The US Constitution was ratified on 21 June 1788
The road to ratification was a long and arduous process. The country was previously governed by the Articles of Confederation, which were tailored to a newly formed nation of states acting more like independent, sovereign countries. However, it became clear to some of America's leaders that future stability required a stronger, more centralised government. This led to Alexander Hamilton's call for a constitutional convention to reevaluate the nation's governing document.
The Articles of Convention that directed current government procedure and powers were deemed insufficient and unsuitable for the newly independent nation. As a result, the new Constitution was born. The delegates approved the final document on 17 September 1787. However, the document couldn't go forward for ratification by the states until Congress had agreed to direct it to the state legislatures. There were concerns that the delegates at the Constitutional Convention had acted beyond their powers. The event aimed to revise what was written in the articles, not create something entirely new.
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Nine states were required to ratify the Constitution
The Constitution of the United States was officially ratified and approved on 21 June 1788. This was the date when the ninth signature necessary for approval was received, allowing Congress to move forward with the document and new government procedures.
On 21 June 1788, New Hampshire became the ninth of 13 states to ratify the Constitution. The journey to ratification was a long and arduous process. The country was governed by the Articles of Confederation until the new Constitution was ratified. This document was tailored to a newly formed nation made of states acting more like independent, sovereign countries. However, it became clear to some of America's leaders that future stability required a stronger, more centralised government.
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The final document was approved by delegates on 17 September 1787
The final document of the Constitution of the United States was approved by delegates on 17 September 1787. However, it couldn't be sent forward for ratification by the states until Congress had agreed to direct it to the state legislatures. The concern was that the delegates at the Constitutional Convention had acted beyond their powers. The event aimed to revise what was written in the articles, not create something entirely new.
The Constitution was officially ratified and therefore approved on 21 June 1788. This was ten months after delegates finalised the document at the Constitutional Convention of 1787. This was the date when the ninth signature necessary for approval was received. This allowed Congress to move forward with the document and new government procedures.
By 9 January 1788, five states of the nine necessary for ratification had approved the Constitution: Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut. On 6 February, Massachusetts ratified by a vote of 187 to 168. However, it would take until 1790 for all states to finally agree and ratify the Constitution. Disputes over the powers of the delegates, Anti-Federalist fears, and the lack of a Bill of Rights all caused roadblocks. But, compromises and promises by the new government led to an eventual resolution.
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The Constitution was ratified by Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut
The United States Constitution was officially ratified and approved on 21 June 1788. This was ten months after the delegates had finalised the document at the Constitutional Convention of 1787. The Constitution was ratified by Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut, who were the first five states to approve the document.
The Constitution was ratified when New Hampshire became the ninth of 13 states to approve it. Until the new Constitution was ratified, the country was governed by the Articles of Confederation. This document was tailored to a newly formed nation of states acting more like independent, sovereign countries. However, it became clear to some of America's leaders that future stability required a stronger, more centralised government.
The delegates approved the final document on 17 September 1787. However, the document couldn't go forward for ratification by the states until Congress had agreed to direct it to the state legislatures. There were concerns that the delegates at the Constitutional Convention had acted beyond their powers. The event aimed to revise what was written in the articles, not create something entirely new.
The journey to ratification was a long and arduous process. It would take until 1790 for all states to finally agree and ratify the Constitution. Disputes over the powers of the delegates, Anti-Federalist fears, and the lack of a Bill of Rights all caused roadblocks. However, compromises and promises by the new government led to an eventual resolution.
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The Constitution was ratified by New Hampshire
The Constitution of the United States was officially ratified and approved on 21 June 1788, when New Hampshire became the ninth of 13 states to ratify it. This was ten months after delegates had approved the final document at the Constitutional Convention of 1787.
The Articles of Confederation were deemed insufficient and unsuitable for the newly independent nation. Alexander Hamilton led the call for a constitutional convention to re-evaluate the nation's governing document. The delegates approved the final document on 17 September 1787, but it couldn't go forward for ratification by the states until Congress had agreed to direct it to the state legislatures. There were concerns that the delegates at the Constitutional Convention had acted beyond their powers.
By 9 January 1788, five states of the nine necessary for ratification had approved the Constitution: Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut. The eventual outcome remained uncertain in pivotal states such as Massachusetts, New York, and Virginia. On 6 February, with Federalists agreeing to recommend a list of amendments amounting to a bill of rights, Massachusetts ratified the Constitution by a vote of 187 to 168.
It would take until 1790 for all states to finally agree and ratify the Constitution. Disputes over the powers of the delegates, Anti-Federalist fears, and the lack of a Bill of Rights all caused roadblocks. But, compromises and promises by the new government led to an eventual resolution.
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Frequently asked questions
The US Constitution was ratified on 21 June 1788.
9 out of 13 states needed to ratify the Constitution.
The delegates approved the final document on 17 September 1787.
It took until 1790 for all states to finally agree and ratify the Constitution.





















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