Malcolm Rivera
The United States Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The signing of the document, which established the government of the United States, took place during the Constitutional Convention, also known as the Philadelphia Convention, which had convened four months earlier on May 25, 1787. The convention was conducted under an oath of secrecy, and the signing of the Constitution marked the first time that Americans saw the document.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 17 September 1787 |
| Location | Independence Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Number of Signatories | 39 out of 74 delegates |
| Notable Signatories | George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Jonathan Dayton |
| Notable Non-Signatories | Edmund Randolph, George Mason, Elbridge Gerry |
| Signing Implements | Ink and goose quill pens |
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What You'll Learn
George Washington signed first
George Washington was the first person to sign the United States Constitution. He signed the document on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Washington's signature appeared near the right margin of the page, and he was followed by the other 38 delegates, who were grouped by states from north to south.
Washington was a crucial force in the creation of the U.S. Constitution. During the spring and summer of 1787, he provided guidance to 55 state delegates who gathered in Philadelphia to fiercely debate the future of the United States. Washington helped facilitate an atmosphere that allowed for the compromises necessary to create a bold, new government. He stayed relatively quiet, allowing the delegates to debate the foundation of the Constitution themselves.
Washington was elected unanimously and reluctantly to be the president of the Constitutional Convention. He was not interested in being a part of politics, but it was clear that no one else could lead the convention. As president, he worked to forge consensus, demanding complete secrecy as the delegates embarked on the controversial task of revising the Articles of Confederation.
In his letters, Washington expressed a desire to see the Constitution adopted, even though he acknowledged that it had some imperfections. He praised the amendment provision, which provided a viable method of correcting problems that might become apparent after the Constitution was implemented. Washington's support for the Constitution was used by Federalists to advocate for its ratification.
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39 delegates signed
The United States Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The signing of the document occurred after four months of fierce debate, with 39 delegates to the Constitutional Convention endorsing the Constitution.
The 39 delegates who signed the Constitution represented 12 states, with Rhode Island being the only state that did not send any delegates. The signatures were grouped by state, with the listing of states arranged geographically from north to south. The signing ceremony served as an authentication of the Constitution's validity, documenting who signed, when, and where.
Several notable figures were among the 39 delegates who signed. George Washington, as president of the Convention, signed first. Benjamin Franklin, at 81 years old, was the oldest signer, and he addressed the convention to strongly endorse the Constitution. Jonathan Dayton, at 26 years old, was the youngest signer.
The process of drafting and signing the Constitution involved intense debate and compromise. Some individuals chose not to sign, including Edmund Randolph, George Mason, and Elbridge Gerry, each of whom had their own reasons for refusing. Despite their objections, the Constitution was a product of the delegates' willingness to negotiate and find common ground, laying the foundation for the nation's federal government and its three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial.
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12 of the 13 states were represented
The US Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The signing of the document was the culmination of four months of fierce debate and compromise, led by George Washington, which laid the foundation for a new government.
Of the 13 states, all but Rhode Island, which declined to send delegates, were represented at the signing. 74 individuals were selected to attend the Constitutional Convention, but only 55 delegates participated, and 39 signed. The signatories represented a cross-section of 18th-century American leadership, with experience in local, colonial, and state governments. Virtually all of them had taken part in the American Revolution, and many had served in the Continental forces.
The signing of the Constitution was not without its opponents, and several men chose not to sign the document. Edmund Randolph and George Mason of Virginia, and Elbridge Gerry of Massachusetts were among the most vocal critics. Randolph, for instance, stated that he was taking a step that "might be the most awful of my life, but it is dictated by my conscience, and it is not possible for me to hesitate, much less, to change." Gerry, meanwhile, believed that the Constitution combined the negative aspects of democracy and its opposite extreme. Despite their refusal to sign, many of these men became strong advocates for a Bill of Rights that would strengthen the protection of "We the People."
Thomas Jefferson's Signature on the US Constitution
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Signatures were grouped by state
The US Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The document was created to replace the Articles of Confederation. The signatures of the 39 delegates who endorsed the Constitution are recorded, along with the states they represented and their titles.
The signatures were grouped by state, with the listing of states arranged geographically from north to south. This arrangement reflected the progression of states in endorsing the Constitution, with the northern states generally signing first, followed by the southern states. The grouping of signatures by state emphasised the role of the signers as representatives of their respective states and underscored the importance of state-level support for the new Constitution.
The signing of the Constitution was a significant moment in American history, as it laid the foundation for the nation's federal government and outlined the functions of its three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. The delegates who signed the document represented a diverse range of experiences and backgrounds, with many having served in the American Revolution, signed the Declaration of Independence, or held positions in local, colonial, or state governments.
The signatures on the Constitution are a testament to the hard work and compromise that went into its creation. While not everyone agreed with every aspect of the document, the signers recognised the importance of establishing a unified government for the young nation. The signing of the Constitution marked the end of a lengthy and intense debate and the beginning of a new era in American governance.
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Signing took place at Independence Hall, Philadelphia
The signing of the United States Constitution took place at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on September 17, 1787. This event marked the culmination of a four-month-long Constitutional Convention, during which 55 delegates from 12 states engaged in fierce debates and compromises to shape the nation's future. Independence Hall witnessed the delegates' endorsement of the Constitution, a document that laid the foundation for a bold, new government and outlined the framework for the federal government's three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial.
Independence Hall in Philadelphia holds significant historical value as the site where the Founding Fathers, led by George Washington, signed the Constitution. Washington, as president of the Convention, was the first to sign, followed by the other delegates, grouped by states from north to south. The signing ceremony concluded the intense deliberations and negotiations that had taken place during the Convention. The final draft of the Constitution was signed by 39 delegates, with 13 delegates choosing to abstain or leaving before the ceremony.
The signing of the Constitution was a pivotal moment in American history. The document was crafted and endorsed by individuals with diverse experiences, including those who had participated in the American Revolution, served in the Continental forces, or held positions in local, colonial, or state governments. The signing ceremony at Independence Hall symbolised the unity and agreement that had been forged through months of challenging discussions.
The hall itself, known as Independence Hall, served as a significant venue during the American Revolution and continues to hold historical significance today. It is renowned as the location where the Declaration of Independence was adopted in 1776, marking America's independence from British rule. The signing of the Constitution in the same hall decades later further solidified its place in the nation's history.
The delegates who signed the Constitution at Independence Hall in Philadelphia included notable figures such as George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and James Madison. Franklin, at 81 years old, was the oldest signer, while Jonathan Dayton, at 26, was the youngest. The signing ceremony concluded a lengthy and arduous process of drafting and debating the Constitution, paving the way for its implementation and the formation of the United States federal government.
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Frequently asked questions
The Constitution was signed at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787.
39 delegates signed the Constitution, including Benjamin Franklin, John Dickinson (by proxy), and George Washington, who presided over the convention.
Independence Hall is also where the Declaration of Independence was signed. The signing of the Constitution established the government of the United States and continues to be the supreme law of the land.
Within three days of its signing, the Constitution was submitted to the Congress of the Confederation in New York City, the nation's temporary capital. The Constitution also needed to be ratified by the states to go into effect. On June 21, 1788, New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify, and the Confederation Congress established March 4, 1789, as the date to begin operating a new government.
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