Simone Lawson
The U.S. Constitution, written and signed in 1787, is dated the Seventeenth Day of September in the Year of our Lord 1787, and of the Independence of the United States of America the Twelfth. This two-fold dating system places the Constitution within the religious traditions of Western civilization and links it to the principles proclaimed in the Declaration of Independence. The date the Constitution was ratified and became the official framework of the U.S. government was June 21, 1788, when New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify it. The new government officially began operating under the Constitution on March 4, 1789.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date the U.S. Constitution was signed | 17th of September, 1787 |
| Date the first draft of the U.S. Constitution was accepted | 6th of August, 1787 |
| Date the delegates first convened in Philadelphia | 25th of May, 1787 |
| Date the U.S. Constitution became the official framework of the U.S. government | 21st of June, 1788 |
| Date the first federal elections were held | 15th of December, 1788 |
| Date the new government was set to begin | 4th of March, 1789 |
| Date the U.S. Constitution was ratified by all states | 29th of May, 1790 |
| Date the Bill of Rights was ratified | 15th of December, 1791 |
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What You'll Learn
- The US Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787
- It was drafted in secret by delegates to the Constitutional Convention
- The original is at the National Archives in Washington, D.C
- Constitution Day is a federal observance on September 17
- The Constitution superseded the Articles of Confederation on March 4, 1789
The US Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787
The US Constitution, the oldest national constitution in the world, was signed on September 17, 1787. It is a four-page document that established the government of the United States. The Federal Convention convened in the State House (Independence Hall) in Philadelphia on May 14, 1787, to revise the Articles of Confederation. However, it soon became clear that a new frame of government was needed, and the delegates debated and redrafted the articles of the new Constitution throughout the summer.
The Constitution's main provisions include seven articles that define the basic framework of the federal government. The first three articles embody the doctrine of the separation of powers, dividing the federal government into three branches: the legislative, consisting of the bicameral Congress; the executive, consisting of the president and subordinate officers; and the judicial, consisting of the Supreme Court and other federal courts. The remaining articles embody concepts of federalism, describing the rights and responsibilities of state governments, the states in relation to the federal government, and the shared process of constitutional amendment.
The Constitution did not come into effect immediately after it was signed. It needed to be ratified by the states, with Article VII establishing the procedure for ratification. 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 under the Constitution. The US Constitution has since successfully guided the government of the United States, safeguarded the rights of the states and American people, and ensured the nation's evolution.
The original signed, handwritten Constitution is housed at the National Archives in Washington, D.C. Constitution Day, a federal observance commemorating the US Constitution, is celebrated on September 17.
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It was drafted in secret by delegates to the Constitutional Convention
The United States Constitution was drafted in the summer of 1787, by delegates to the Constitutional Convention, also known as the Federal Convention, the Philadelphia Convention, or the Grand Convention at Philadelphia. The convention was convened to revise the Articles of Confederation, which were seen as inadequate by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and George Washington, who feared that the young nation was on the brink of collapse.
The convention was initially meant to discuss and draft improvements to the Articles of Confederation, but it soon became clear that the delegates intended to create an entirely new system of government. The delegates swore an oath of secrecy so they could speak freely, and the windows of the State House were shuttered. The first draft of the Constitution was accepted on August 6, 1787, and the final document was produced five weeks later.
The convention was presided over by George Washington, who was unanimously elected as president. The delegates debated various issues, including the role of the executive, the powers of Congress, slavery, and the regulation of commerce. The southern states were particularly concerned about the potential economic impact of export taxes imposed by a New England-dominated Congress. The delegates also discussed the inclusion of a fugitive slave clause, the potential abolition of the slave trade, and whether enslaved individuals should be counted for purposes of proportional representation.
The final document, signed on September 17, 1787, established the government of the United States. It was an extraordinary achievement, creating a powerful central government that balanced the interests and views of the different states. The Constitution has stood the test of time and is one of the longest-lived and most emulated constitutions in the world.
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The original is at the National Archives in Washington, D.C
The original US Constitution is located at the National Archives in Washington, D.C. The National Archives is a climate-controlled space designed to house the Charters of Freedom, which include the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and the Bill of Rights. These documents are considered instrumental to the founding and philosophy of the United States, and they are on permanent display in the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom.
The National Archives Building was specifically chosen to house these precious documents due to its safety features. The building was rated as the safest in the Washington area by the Public Buildings Service. The Charters of Freedom are stored in a custom-built, 50-ton, steel and concrete safe that is bomb-proof, fire-proof, shock-proof, water-proof, and theft-proof.
The journey of the Constitution to the National Archives is quite fascinating. In 1883, historian J. Franklin Jameson discovered the original document in a box in a closet in the State, War, and Navy Building. In 1924, President Calvin Coolidge presented the Constitution to the public at the Library of Congress, where it remained until it was moved to Fort Knox, Kentucky, during World War II.
In 1951, a study was conducted to examine the preservation methods used to store the Constitution. As a result, the document was re-encased in glass with special light filters, inert gas, and controlled humidity. Finally, in 1952, the Constitution was transferred to its current home at the National Archives, where it has been carefully preserved and displayed for millions of visitors each year.
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Constitution Day is a federal observance on September 17
Constitution Day, also known as Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, is a federal observance in the United States that falls on September 17. This date commemorates the signing of the US Constitution in Philadelphia on September 17, 1787, by delegates to the Constitutional Convention. It was the last time they met to sign the document they had created.
The date is significant as it marks the adoption of the United States Constitution and recognises those who have become US citizens. The day also serves as a reminder of the country's history and the blessings of freedom secured by the Founding Fathers. Constitution Day is an opportunity for Americans to participate in local events, activities, parades, and demonstrations that celebrate the nation's history and founding principles.
The date "the Seventeenth Day of September in the Year of our Lord" 1787, is included in the US Constitution, along with a reference to the independence of the United States of America, which was in its twelfth year at the time. This dual reference to religious traditions and the principles proclaimed in the Declaration of Independence is also found in other important documents from that era, such as the Articles of Confederation and the Northwest Ordinance.
The recognition of Constitution Day as a federal observance has evolved over time. In 1940, Congress designated the third Sunday in May as "I Am an American Day", which later became known as _"Constitution Day"_ in 1952. The date was moved to September 17 to commemorate the signing of the US Constitution. In 2004, an amendment was passed to modify the law establishing the holiday, and it has since been officially recognised as Constitution Day and Citizenship Day.
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The Constitution superseded the Articles of Confederation on March 4, 1789
The US Constitution superseded the Articles of Confederation on March 4, 1789. This date is not explicitly mentioned in the US Constitution, but it is of great significance in American history.
The Articles of Confederation, officially the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union, was an agreement and early body of law in the Thirteen Colonies. It served as the nation's first constitution and frame of government during the American Revolution. The Articles were ratified by all 13 colonies and came into force on March 1, 1781. They established a weak confederal government, with limited powers and no enforcement authority.
The Constitution of the United States, on the other hand, is the supreme law of the land. It was written and signed in 1787, and it outlines the basic framework of the federal government. The Constitution includes seven articles, the first three of which embody the separation of powers into three branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial. This system of checks and balances ensures no single branch holds too much power.
The Constitution superseded the Articles of Confederation because it provided for a stronger federal government. It established a chief executive (the president), courts, and taxing powers. The process of ratification for the Constitution was outlined in Article VII, and New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify on June 21, 1788. The Confederation Congress then set March 4, 1789, as the date to begin operating under the new government. This date is significant as it marks the transition from the Articles of Confederation to the US Constitution as the supreme law of the land.
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Frequently asked questions
The US Constitution was written in 1787 and signed on September 17, 1787.
The US Constitution came into effect on June 21, 1788, when New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify it.
The US Constitution was ratified by all 13 states by May 29, 1790, when Rhode Island approved the document.
The original, signed, handwritten Constitution is at the National Archives in Washington, D.C.
