Jonah Patel
The United States Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, by 74 individuals selected to attend the Constitutional Convention. The youngest signer was 26-year-old Jonathan Dayton, and the oldest was 81-year-old Benjamin Franklin. The Constitution of the State of New Jersey, on the other hand, has been governed by three constitutions since 1776. The first was adopted on July 2, 1776, the second in 1844, and the current constitution was adopted in 1947 and has been amended several times.
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What You'll Learn
The US Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787
The drafting process was meticulous, with the committee continuing to meet and make compromises to address the concerns of the various states. By early September, a Committee of Style was impaneled to distill a final draft constitution from the approved articles. This final draft was the culmination of weeks of negotiations and revisions, reflecting the input and compromises made by the delegates.
On the final day of the Constitutional Convention, Benjamin Franklin, at 81 the oldest delegate, delivered a powerful address endorsing the Constitution. Despite its perceived imperfections, Franklin argued for unity and common accord, urging the delegates to sign as individual witnesses of the unanimous consent of the states. This approach ensured that the signers subscribed to their names not on behalf of their respective states but as witnesses to the collective achievement of the convention.
The Constitution's signing was more than just a legal formality; it represented the unity and agreement of the states present. The document's adoption was proclaimed, and its dating formulaic, with the signatures of those endorsing it serving as a testament to their commitment to the nation's future. The convention's secretary, William Jackson, added a note verifying four handwritten amendments, signing it to authenticate its validity.
The US Constitution, signed on that fateful day in September, laid the foundation for the country's governance and continues to shape the lives of Americans even today. It stands as a testament to the dedication and compromise of the Founding Fathers, who worked tirelessly to create a nation founded on the principles of liberty and justice.
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New Jersey's first state constitution was adopted on July 2, 1776
The primary objective of the 1776 constitution was to provide a basic governmental framework that would prevent New Jersey from falling into anarchy. It served as the charter document for the state's government for the next 68 years. The constitution included provisions that granted unmarried women and blacks who met property requirements the right to vote. It also provided for religious freedom, a right that had been established in the colony's first governing document, the Concession and Agreement, written in 1665.
The 1776 constitution was replaced in 1844, when a new constitution restricted suffrage to white males. The 1844 constitution also separated the government's powers into judicial, legislative, and executive branches and granted the people, rather than the legislature, the ability to elect a governor. The current New Jersey state constitution was adopted in 1947 and has been amended several times.
The 1947 constitution, like its predecessors, affirms the rights and freedoms inherent to the people and relevant to the operation of the government. These rights largely mirror those in the United States Constitution, including freedom of speech, the right to a speedy and public trial, and religious freedom. The New Jersey constitution also contains several unique provisions, such as regulations governing the operation of casinos.
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The current New Jersey constitution was adopted in 1947
The current New Jersey Constitution, which was adopted in 1947, is the third constitution of the state. The document, which is slightly shorter than the average American state constitution, has been amended several times since its adoption. The constitution reinforces the basic rights found in the United States Constitution and contains several unique provisions, such as regulations governing the operation of casinos.
The constitution was agreed upon by the delegates of the people of New Jersey, in Convention, at Rutgers University, the State University of New Jersey, in New Brunswick. The convention began on the twelfth day of June and continued until the tenth day of September in 1947. The constitution's primary objective was to secure and transmit civil and religious liberty for succeeding generations. It states that "all persons are by nature free and independent, and have certain natural and unalienable rights, among which are those of enjoying and defending life and liberty, of acquiring, possessing, and protecting property, and of pursuing and obtaining safety and happiness".
The New Jersey Constitution of 1947 outlines the state's governmental structure and includes provisions for the Supreme Court, the Superior Court, and the Chancery Court. It establishes the Great Seal of the State of New Jersey, which is to be kept by the Governor and used officially. The constitution also addresses the salutation and protocol for granting commissions and the format of indictments and writs.
Furthermore, the 1947 constitution includes provisions for the establishment of Congressional districts and the election of members of the House of Representatives. It outlines the process for addressing unlawful actions by the New Jersey Redistricting Commission and establishes the jurisdiction of the state's Supreme Court in such cases. The constitution also empowers the Legislature to pass laws regulating the internal affairs of municipal corporations and counties upon receiving a petition and a two-thirds vote from the members of each house.
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The youngest signer of the US Constitution was 26-year-old Jonathan Dayton
The United States Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787. The document was carried to Congress in New York City by the convention's secretary, William Jackson. The signatures of those endorsing the Constitution were affixed to the document, along with a note verifying four amendments made by hand, signed by Jackson to authenticate its validity.
Jonathan Dayton, at 26 years old, was the youngest signer of the US Constitution. Dayton was from New Jersey, and his signature sits alongside that of the oldest signer, Benjamin Franklin, aged 81.
The final draft of the Constitution was distilled from twenty-three approved articles by a Committee of Style, with different members from the Committee of Detail that produced the first draft. The first draft was prepared by the Committee of Detail, which was selected on July 24, 1787, and included a preamble and twenty-three articles. The Committee of Detail continued to meet off and on until early September, discussing the draft constitution in detail and making further compromises.
The final draft was presented on September 8, 1787, just nine days before the signing of the Constitution. The document conformed to the resolutions adopted by the Convention, with some portions rephrased. The signers' names are grouped by state, with the listing of states arranged geographically, from north to south.
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Benjamin Franklin, aged 81, was the oldest signer
Benjamin Franklin, at 81, was the oldest person to sign the US Constitution. Franklin was born on January 17, 1706, and died on April 17, 1790, at the age of 84 years and 3 months. He was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, a writer, scientist, inventor, statesman, diplomat, printer, publisher, and political philosopher.
Franklin was born in the Province of Massachusetts Bay and became a successful newspaper editor and printer in Philadelphia, publishing 'The Pennsylvania Gazette' at 23. He also wrote 'Poor Richard's Almanack' under the pseudonym "Richard Saunders". Franklin was a major player in the study of electricity and is credited as the inventor of the lightning rod and bifocals. He was also a founding member of Philadelphia's first fire department.
In addition to his scientific pursuits, Franklin was deeply involved in politics. He was a drafter and signer of the Declaration of Independence and the first postmaster general. Franklin's political and intellectual influence extended beyond his lifetime, and he has been honoured on the $100 bill, in the names of warships, towns, counties, and educational institutions, and through numerous cultural references.
Franklin's legacy is also evident in the collection of his writings, with over 30,000 letters and documents compiled in 'The Papers of Benjamin Franklin'. This collection provides insight into his life, achievements, and impact on the world, solidifying his place as one of the most influential figures in American history.
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Frequently asked questions
The 1776 Constitution of New Jersey was signed by the delegates of the people of New Jersey.
Unfortunately, I could not find information on the 1844 Constitution of New Jersey.
I could not find specific information on the 1947 Constitution of New Jersey. However, the document was agreed upon by the delegates of the people of New Jersey.
