Malcolm Rivera
The United States Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 39 delegates representing 12 states (all but Rhode Island) endorsed the Constitution, including Jonathan Dayton, aged 26, the youngest signer, and Benjamin Franklin, aged 81, the oldest. Franklin, a respected statesman, summed up the sentiments of those who did sign, stating: There are several parts of this Constitution which I do not at present approve, but I am not sure I shall never approve them.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | September 17, 1787 |
| Location | Independence Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Number of Signers | 39 |
| Age Range of Signers | 26 to 81 |
| Youngest Signer | Jonathan Dayton |
| Oldest Signer | Benjamin Franklin |
| First Signer to Die | Benjamin Franklin |
| Last Signer to Die | James Madison |
| Number of States Represented | 12 |
| States Not Represented | Rhode Island |
| Number of Delegates Who Refused to Sign | 3 |
| Reason for Refusal to Sign | Lack of a bill of rights |
Explore related products
![Founding Fathers [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71f9-HsS5nL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
What You'll Learn
The Signing of the United States Constitution
The United States Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The signing of this document laid the foundation for a more perfect union and marked the culmination of a four-month-long Constitutional Convention, during which 55 delegates from 12 states engaged in fierce debates to shape the future of the nation.
Of the 55 delegates who attended the sessions, only 39 actually signed the Constitution. The delegates ranged in age from Jonathan Dayton, the youngest at 26, to Benjamin Franklin, the oldest at 81, who was so infirm that he had to be carried to the sessions in a sedan chair. Interestingly, Franklin, in his final great speech, made the motion to sign the document, and his words captured the sentiments of many who signed:
> "There are several parts of this Constitution which I do not at present approve, but I am not sure I shall never approve them. [...] I expect no better and because I am not sure that it is not the best."
The signing of the Constitution was a significant moment in American history, as it outlined the framework for the nation's federal government and delineated the functions of its three branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial. The document was the result of intense negotiations and compromises, with virtually every signer having played a part in the American Revolution. The signing ceremony concluded the work of the delegates, who had successfully created a bold, new government that reflected the needs and aspirations of the young nation.
Who Were the Democrats Who Signed the Constitution?
You may want to see also
The youngest and oldest signers
The signing of the United States Constitution occurred on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 39 delegates to the Constitutional Convention, representing 12 states (all but Rhode Island, which declined to send delegates), endorsed the Constitution. Of these 39 signers, Jonathan Dayton, aged 26, was the youngest, while Benjamin Franklin, aged 81, was the oldest.
Jonathan Dayton, the youngest signer, was born in 1760 and was a delegate from New Jersey. He had a notable career in politics, serving in the United States House of Representatives and later in the United States Senate. Dayton also played a significant role in the drafting of the United States Bill of Rights. He passed away in 1824 at the age of 64.
Benjamin Franklin, the oldest signer, was born in 1706 and was a delegate from Pennsylvania. A renowned polymath and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, Franklin's contributions extended beyond politics. He was a scientist, inventor, publisher, and author. Franklin's inventions include the lightning rod, bifocal glasses, and the Franklin stove. He was also an active writer and publisher, producing influential works such as "Poor Richard's Almanack." Franklin passed away in 1790, just a few years after signing the Constitution, at the age of 84.
The age gap between the youngest and oldest signers of the Constitution, Jonathan Dayton and Benjamin Franklin, spanned 55 years. Despite their age difference, both individuals played crucial roles in the formation of the United States and left their mark on history.
Who Didn't Sign the Constitution and Why?
You may want to see also
Signers' views on the Constitution
The US Constitution, which outlines the framework of the nation's federal government and its three branches, was signed by 39 delegates to the Constitutional Convention on September 17, 1787. These delegates, representing 12 states (all except Rhode Island, which did not send any delegates), endorsed the Constitution that was crafted during the four-month-long convention.
The signers of the Constitution represented a diverse cross-section of 18th-century American leadership, with most having actively participated in the American Revolution. Many had served in the Continental forces, held positions in local or colonial governments, or had experience in state government.
Despite their varied backgrounds, the signers shared a common goal: to create a practical and workable Constitution that would address the immediate needs of the thirteen states and their approximately four million inhabitants. Benjamin Franklin, the oldest signer at 81, summed up the sentiments of many when he acknowledged that while there were parts of the Constitution he did not approve of, he accepted it as the best option available.
Alexander Hamilton, another influential figure, had a more critical view, describing the Constitution as a "weak and worthless fabric" that would inevitably be superseded. Luther Martin shared a similar perspective, believing that the Constitution betrayed the ideals of liberty. On the other hand, James Madison and the majority of delegates hoped that the Constitution would be a lasting solution for the present needs of the states.
Overall, the signers of the Constitution recognised the importance of their task and the impact it would have on the future of the nation. Despite their differing opinions and reservations, they came together to create a document that laid the foundation for the United States' federal government.
The Constitution and Josiah Bartlett: A Founding Father's Signature
You may want to see also
Explore related products
States' ratification of the Constitution
The United States Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Of the 74 delegates chosen to attend the Constitutional Convention, 55 attended and 39 signed. The signing of the Constitution marked the end of a four-month-long convention that was convened to amend the Articles of Confederation, which governed the country at the time. However, the outcome of the convention was the creation of a new form of government, outlined in the Constitution.
The ratification process for the Constitution began the same day it was signed and ended when the final state, Rhode Island, ratified it on May 29, 1790. Rhode Island was the twelfth of the thirteen states to ratify the Constitution. The process of ratification was a long and arduous one, with several states voicing opposition to the Constitution on the grounds that it did not adequately protect certain rights.
The first state to ratify the Constitution was Delaware on December 7, 1787, followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut. These states were among the first to ratify because they were small states that stood to benefit from a strong national government that could restrain abuses by their larger neighbours. Pennsylvania, a large state, was another early ratifier, but the process there was marred by corruption and coercion of Antifederalists.
The Constitution gained legitimacy when powerful and populous states like Virginia and New York ratified it. Virginia became the tenth state to ratify, and New York was the eleventh. New York issued a circular letter requesting 33 alterations to the Constitution and asking that the new United States Congress take action on all amendments demanded by other state ratifying conventions.
The ninth state to ratify the Constitution was significant because, under Article VII, the document would not be binding until its ratification by nine of the thirteen existing states. New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify on June 21, 1788, thus making the Constitution the official framework of the government of the United States of America.
Signed Proposals: Are They Legally Binding Contracts?
You may want to see also
Signers who refused to sign
The United States Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Of the 55 delegates present at the convention, 39 signed the document. The remaining six delegates who were present refused to sign, including:
William L. Pierce
Pierce was a delegate from Georgia. He was one of the three delegates from Georgia, along with William Few and Abraham Baldwin, who attended the convention.
John F. Mercer
Mercer was a delegate from Maryland. He was one of the two delegates from Maryland, along with Daniel of St Thomas Jenifer, who refused to sign the Constitution.
John Lansing, Jr.
Lansing was a delegate from New York. He and Robert Yates, the other delegate from New York, left the convention early without signing the Constitution.
William R. Davie
Davie was a delegate from North Carolina. He was one of the three delegates from North Carolina, along with William Blount and Richard Dobbs Spaight, who attended the convention.
Edmund J. Randolph
Randolph was a delegate from Virginia. He was one of the three delegates from Virginia, along with George Washington and George Mason, who attended the convention. Randolph was one of the most vocal opponents of the Constitution, stating that his refusal to sign was "dictated by my conscience, and it is not possible for me to hesitate, much less, to change."
Elbridge Gerry
Gerry was a delegate from Massachusetts. He was one of the four delegates from Massachusetts, along with Nathaniel Gorham, Rufus King, and Caleb Strong, who attended the convention. Gerry was another vocal opponent of the Constitution, stating that he "cannot declare [himself] a friend to the plan proposed."
Some of the delegates who chose not to sign the Constitution did so to signal their concerns about its power without a Bill of Rights. Benjamin Franklin, one of the signers, summed up the sentiments of those who did sign, stating that while he did not approve of every part of the Constitution, he accepted it because he "expected no better" and was "not sure that it [was] not the best."
Mexico's Constitution: Signed and Sealed
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
It is unclear who signed the Constitution last as there was no official record of the signing order. However, we know that 39 delegates signed the Constitution, representing 12 states.
Three of the 42 delegates refused to sign as the Constitution lacked a bill of rights. Some delegates also left before the signing ceremony.
Signing the Constitution was a symbolic gesture of support and endorsement. It also served as a way for delegates to show their state's support as the convention ended.
