Isabella Carter
The US Constitution was ratified on 21 June 1788, when New Hampshire became the ninth of 13 states to ratify it. The journey to ratification was a long and arduous process. The Constitution was not ratified by all states until 29 May 1790, when Rhode Island finally approved the document.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 21 June 1788 |
| Number of states required to ratify | 9 of 13 |
| Date all 13 states ratified | 29 May 1790 |
| Date of first federal elections | 15 December 1788 |
| Date of new government | 4 March 1789 |
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What You'll Learn
The US Constitution was ratified on 21 June 1788
The Constitution, however, was still evolving. Madison introduced 17 amendments to the Constitution born from the Massachusetts Compromise, of which Congress adopted twelve on 25 September 1789, to send forth to the states for ratification. Ten of those amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified on 15 December 1791. Even after the Constitution’s ratification, the US did not begin to look and function remotely like it does today until several years later. The Constitution was not ratified by all states until 29 May 1790, when Rhode Island finally approved the document, and the Bill of Rights was not ratified to become part of the Constitution until the end of the following year.
After ratification, Congress set dates for the first federal elections and the official implementation of the Constitution. Elections were set to take place from Monday, 15 December 1788, to Saturday, 10 January 1789, and the new government was set to begin on 4 March 1789. In the nation’s first presidential election, George Washington was elected President and John Adams was elected Vice President.
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9 of 13 states ratified the Constitution by 21 June 1788
The US Constitution was ratified on 21 June 1788, when New Hampshire became the ninth of 13 states to ratify it. This meant that the Constitution became the official framework for the government of the United States of America. The journey to ratification was a long and arduous process. Until the new Constitution was ratified, the country was governed by the Articles of Confederation. This document was tailored to a newly formed nation made of states acting more like independent, sovereign countries. However, it quickly became clear to some of America's leaders that future stability required a stronger, more centralised government.
New York's Alexander Hamilton thus led the call for a constitutional convention to reevaluate the nation's governing document. The terms of the Massachusetts Compromise reached in February 1788 stipulated that amendments to that effect—what became the Bill of Rights—would be immediately proposed. The constitution was subsequently ratified by Massachusetts, Maryland, South Carolina, and, finally, New Hampshire.
After ratification, Congress set dates for the first federal elections and the official implementation of the Constitution. Elections were set to take place from Monday, 15 December 1788, to Saturday, 10 January 1789, and the new government was set to begin on 4 March 1789. In the nation's first presidential election, George Washington was elected President and John Adams was elected Vice President.
All 13 states eventually ratified the US Constitution by 29 May 1790, when Rhode Island finally approved the document. The Bill of Rights was not ratified to become part of the Constitution until the end of the following year.
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All 13 states ratified the Constitution by 29 May 1790
The US Constitution was ratified on 21 June 1788, when New Hampshire became the ninth of 13 states to ratify it. However, it wasn't until 29 May 1790 that all 13 states had ratified the Constitution, with Rhode Island being the last to approve the document.
The journey to ratification was a long and arduous process. Until the new Constitution was ratified, the country was governed by the Articles of Confederation. This document was tailored to a newly formed nation made of states acting more like independent, sovereign countries. It quickly became clear to some of America's leaders that future stability required a stronger, more centralised government. New York's Alexander Hamilton thus led the call for a constitutional convention to reevaluate the nation's governing document.
Some states voiced opposition to the Constitution on the grounds that it did not provide protection for rights such as freedom of speech, religion, and the press. However, the terms of the Massachusetts Compromise reached in February 1788 stipulated that amendments to that effect—what became the Bill of Rights—would be immediately proposed. The Constitution was subsequently ratified by Massachusetts, Maryland, South Carolina, and, finally, New Hampshire. After ratification, Congress set dates for the first federal elections and the official implementation of the Constitution. Elections were set to take place from Monday, 15 December 1788, to Saturday, 10 January 1789, and the new government was set to begin on 4 March 1789. In the nation's first presidential election, George Washington was elected President and John Adams was elected Vice President.
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The Bill of Rights was ratified on 15 December 1791
The US Constitution was ratified on 21 June 1788, when New Hampshire became the ninth of 13 states to ratify it. The Bill of Rights was ratified on 15 December 1791.
The journey to ratification was a long and arduous process. Until the new Constitution was ratified, the country was governed by the Articles of Confederation. That document was tailored to a newly formed nation made of states acting more like independent, sovereign countries, and it quickly became clear to some of America’s leaders that future stability required a stronger, more centralised government. New York’s Alexander Hamilton thus led the call for a constitutional convention to reevaluate the nation’s governing document.
The Constitution, however, was still evolving. Madison introduced 17 amendments to the Constitution born from the Massachusetts Compromise, of which Congress adopted 12 on 25 September 1789, to send forth to the states for ratification. Ten of those amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified on 15 December 1791.
Even after the Constitution’s ratification, the US did not begin to look and function remotely like it does today until several years later. The Constitution was not ratified by all states until 29 May 1790, when Rhode Island finally approved the document, and the Bill of Rights was not ratified to become part of the Constitution until the end of the following year.
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The first federal elections were held between 15 December 1788 and 10 January 1789
The US Constitution was ratified on 21 June 1788, when New Hampshire became the ninth of 13 states to ratify it. The first federal elections were held between 15 December 1788 and 10 January 1789. In the nation's first presidential election, George Washington was elected president and John Adams was elected vice president. The new government was set to begin on 4 March 1789.
The journey to ratification was a long and arduous process. Until the new Constitution was ratified, the country was governed by the Articles of Confederation. This document was tailored to a newly formed nation made of states acting more like independent, sovereign countries. It quickly became clear to some of America's leaders that future stability required a stronger, more centralised government. New York's Alexander Hamilton thus led the call for a constitutional convention to reevaluate the nation's governing document.
The Constitution, however, was still evolving. Madison introduced 17 amendments to the Constitution born from the Massachusetts Compromise, of which Congress adopted 12 on 25 September 1789, to send forth to the states for ratification. Ten of those amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified on 15 December 1791.
All 13 states eventually ratified the US Constitution by 29 May 1790. The 1st Congress addressed the constitutionally-required census during its second session, passing "An Act Providing for the Enumeration of the Inhabitants of the United States" that President George Washington signed into law on 1 March 1790.
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Frequently asked questions
The US Constitution was ratified on June 21, 1788.
Nine out of 13 states were required to ratify the Constitution.
New Hampshire was the ninth state to ratify the Constitution.
All 13 states ratified the Constitution by May 29, 1790, when Rhode Island approved the document.
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