The Constitution's Birthplace: Where History Was Written

The Constitutional Convention, also known as the Federal Convention, the Philadelphia Convention, or the Grand Convention at Philadelphia, took place in the summer of 1787. Fifty-five delegates, also known as the Framers, from 12 states met in Philadelphia's Pennsylvania State House, later renamed Independence Hall, to revise the Articles of Confederation. Despite the sweltering heat, the windows of the meeting hall were nailed shut to keep the proceedings a secret from the public. The delegates, ranging in age from 26 to 81, had been collectively appointed by their state legislatures and included prominent figures such as George Washington, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton.

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The Constitutional Convention

The delegates met in the Pennsylvania State House, later renamed Independence Hall, with the windows nailed shut to keep the proceedings a secret. The convention was tasked with revising the Articles of Confederation, which gave the Confederation Congress the power to make rules and request funds from the states, but it had no enforcement powers, couldn’t regulate commerce, or print money. However, once the convention began, most of the delegates came to agree that they would need to draft a new constitution and create a new system of government.

Several outlines were proposed and debated, including Madison's Virginia Plan and William Paterson's New Jersey Plan. Progress was slow until mid-July, when the Connecticut Compromise resolved enough lingering arguments for a draft written by the Committee of Detail to gain acceptance. This draft formed the basis of the final version of the Constitution, though more modifications and compromises were made over the following weeks. One important change that was made was the agreement between northern and southern delegates to empower Congress to end the slave trade starting in 1808.

The final version of the Constitution was produced in early September and was voted on by the delegates. It was signed by 39 of the 55 delegates on September 17, 1787, and copies were printed in newspapers for public review. The Constitutional Convention thus created one of the longest-lived and most emulated constitutions in the world.

55 delegates attended

The original states collectively appointed 70 individuals to the Constitutional Convention, which took place in the Pennsylvania State House (later renamed Independence Hall) in Philadelphia. However, a number of these appointees did not accept or were unable to attend, resulting in a total of 55 delegates who attended the sessions. These 55 men, known as the Framers of the Constitution, crafted the document that became the foundation of the United States government.

The delegates to the Constitutional Convention had diverse backgrounds and experiences. Nearly all of them had participated in the American Revolution, with at least 29 having served in the Continental forces, most of them in positions of command. Many had extensive political experience, with about 75% having been members of the Confederation Congress and almost all having served in colonial or state government at some point in their careers. They practised a wide range of high and middle-status occupations, and their ages ranged from 26-year-old Jonathan Dayton to 81-year-old Benjamin Franklin, who was so infirm that he had to be carried to the sessions in a sedan chair.

Among the notable delegates were George Washington, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, James Wilson, Gouverneur Morris, Edmond Randolph, and Roger Sherman. These men, along with their fellow Framers, engaged in vigorous debates and discussions to draft a constitution that would address the challenges facing the young nation. They grappled with issues such as congressional representation, slavery, and the balance of power between the states and the central government.

The process of drafting the Constitution was not without its challenges. The delegates originally gathered to revise the Articles of Confederation, but they soon decided to create a new constitution altogether. They worked throughout the sweltering summer, with the windows of the meeting hall nailed shut to ensure secrecy. James Madison, who had arrived in Philadelphia eleven days early, set the convention's agenda with his Virginia Plan, which outlined goals and a broad structure. Despite the intense debates and differences of opinion, the Framers ultimately crafted a document that has endured for over two centuries, shaping the government and society of the United States.

39 delegates signed

The United States Constitution is a remarkable document, not least because it is one of the longest-lived constitutions in the world. It was drafted by 55 delegates, or "framers", in Philadelphia in 1787. However, only 39 delegates signed the Constitution.

The Constitutional Convention assembled in Philadelphia in May 1787. The delegates met in the Pennsylvania State House, later renamed Independence Hall. They shuttered the windows to keep the proceedings a secret and pledged to secrecy, so the details of the debates were not published until much later. The delegates had been tasked with revising the Articles of Confederation, which were America's first constitution but lacked enforcement powers and could not regulate commerce or print money. However, once the convention began, most delegates agreed that a new system of government was needed.

The delegates were appointed by the original 13 states, except Rhode Island, which did not send any delegates. The states appointed 70 individuals, but a number of these did not accept or could not attend, leaving 55 who ultimately crafted the document. Almost all of these framers had taken part in the Revolution, and many had served in the Continental Congress and in colonial or state government.

The delegates ranged in age from Jonathan Dayton, aged 26, to Benjamin Franklin, aged 81, who was so infirm that he had to be carried to sessions in a sedan chair. Other notable delegates included George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, James Wilson, Gouverneur Morris, Edmund Randolph, and Roger Sherman.

The final draft of the Constitution was signed by 39 of the 55 delegates on September 17, 1787. One delegate, John Dickinson of Delaware, was absent, so George Read signed for him, bringing the total number of signatures to 39.

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Benjamin Franklin, the oldest attendee

The Constitutional Convention assembled in Philadelphia in May 1787. The delegates met in the Pennsylvania State House, later renamed Independence Hall. The convention was contemporarily known as the Federal Convention, the Philadelphia Convention, or the Grand Convention at Philadelphia.

Benjamin Franklin, at 81 years old, was the oldest attendee of the Constitutional Convention. He was so infirm that he had to be carried to sessions in a sedan chair. Franklin was one of 55 delegates who attended the sessions, and one of 39 who signed the Constitution.

The delegates had originally been appointed by the 13 original states, except Rhode Island, and almost all had taken part in the Revolution. Many had served in the Continental forces, most in positions of command, and all but two or three had served in colonial or state government during their careers.

The delegates had gathered to revise the Articles of Confederation, but by mid-June, they had decided to completely redesign the government. There was little agreement about what form it would take, and one of the fiercest arguments was over congressional representation. The framers compromised by giving each state one representative for every 30,000 people in the House of Representatives and two representatives in the Senate. They agreed to count enslaved Africans as three-fifths of a person and that the slave trade could continue until 1808.

Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania State House

The Constitution of the United States was drafted in the Pennsylvania State House, later renamed Independence Hall, in Philadelphia. The Constitutional Convention assembled in Philadelphia in May 1787, with 55 delegates in attendance, all of whom are considered the Framers of the Constitution. However, only 39 delegates, ranging in age from 26 to 81, ultimately signed it.

The delegates shuttered the windows of the State House and swore secrecy so they could freely discuss their task of revising the Articles of Confederation. By mid-June, they had decided to completely redesign the government, with most delegates agreeing on the need for a new system. One of the fiercest arguments was over congressional representation—should it be based on population or divided equally among the states? The framers compromised by giving each state one representative for every 30,000 people in the House of Representatives and two in the Senate.

The delegates, who had been appointed by their state legislatures, crafted a powerful central government that has endured as one of the longest-lived and most emulated constitutions worldwide. They represented diverse interests and views, and their discussions resulted in a framework for government that has lasted over 200 years. The convention was also known as the Federal Convention, the Philadelphia Convention, or the Grand Convention at Philadelphia, reflecting its significance in shaping the nation's future.

The final report of the committee, which became the first draft of the Constitution, was prepared by the Committee of Detail. This draft formed the basis for the final version, which was voted on and signed by the delegates in September 1787. The completed proposed Constitution was then printed for review, initiating the debates and ratification process.

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