Eleanor Finch
The United States Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The signing of the document was the culmination of a four-month-long Constitutional Convention, which saw 55 delegates participate, with 39 ultimately signing the final draft. George Washington, as president of the Convention, was the first to sign the completed Constitution, followed by the other delegates, grouped by states in progression from north to south.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | September 17, 1787 |
| Location | Independence Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Number of Signatures | 39 |
| First to Sign | George Washington |
| Youngest Signer | Jonathan Dayton, aged 26 |
| Oldest Signer | Benjamin Franklin, aged 81 |
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What You'll Learn
George Washington was the first to sign
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, a Revolutionary War hero, was a delegate from Virginia and was elected president of the Constitutional Convention.
The Constitutional Convention was convened to revise the Articles of Confederation, which served as America's first constitution. However, the delegates ultimately decided to create a new constitution, establishing a powerful central government. The final draft of the new constitution was prepared by a Committee of Detail, which was selected on July 24, 1787, and included a preamble and 23 articles.
The signing of the Constitution was the culmination of a four-month-long convention, with 39 delegates endorsing the document. The signing ceremony took place after the state delegates approved the draft on September 15, 1787. Jacob Shallus, the assistant clerk for the Pennsylvania General Assembly, engrossed (copied) the document in a clear hand over 40 hours, and the signing was set for the following Monday.
George Washington's signature as the convention's president was followed by those of the other delegates, grouped by states in progression from north to south. The signing of the Constitution was a significant achievement, as it addressed the challenges facing the young nation and set the terms for its ratification and implementation.
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39 delegates signed
The United States Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, by 39 delegates to the Constitutional Convention, representing 12 states. The signing took place at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The Constitutional Convention was convened to revise the Articles of Confederation, which was America's first constitution. However, the delegates decided to completely redesign the government, creating a powerful central government. The new Constitution was planned to meet the immediate needs of the 13 states with approximately four million people.
The 39 delegates who signed the Constitution included George Washington, who was the first to sign as president of the Convention. The other delegates then signed, grouped by states in progression from north to south. The youngest signer was 26-year-old Jonathan Dayton, while the oldest was 81-year-old Benjamin Franklin.
The signing of the Constitution was a significant achievement, and it stands today as one of the longest-lived and most emulated constitutions in the world. The document was sent to the states for ratification, and the new government under the Constitution was enacted after being ratified by 9 of the 13 states.
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Benjamin Franklin was the oldest signer
The United States Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The signing of the document was the culmination of a four-month-long convention, during which 74 individuals were selected to attend, with 55 delegates participating. Of these, 39 delegates representing 12 states (all but Rhode Island) endorsed the Constitution.
George Washington, as president of the Convention, signed first. The remaining delegates then signed the document, grouped by states in progression from north to south. Benjamin Franklin, at 81 years old, was the oldest signer of the Constitution. Franklin, a Pennsylvania delegate, was only cautiously optimistic about the document, remarking that he was astonished "to find this system approaching so near to perfection as it does."
Franklin's signature appears in Howard Chandler Christy's painting of the signing of the United States Constitution. Completed in 1940, the painting is among the best-known images in the United States Capitol. It depicts Franklin seated in the center, with Alexander Hamilton leaning towards him. The books beside Franklin's chair were part of Thomas Jefferson's library, included in the scene to acknowledge Jefferson's importance to the Constitution.
Benjamin Franklin, the oldest signer of the Constitution, 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." He accepted the Constitution, saying, "because I expect no better and because I am not sure that it is not the best."
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Jonathan Dayton was the youngest signer
The United States Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Of the 39 delegates who signed the document, Jonathan Dayton, aged 26, was the youngest.
Jonathan Dayton was born in 1760 in what is now Elizabeth, New Jersey, and was a delegate from New Jersey to the U.S. Constitutional Convention. He served in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War, attaining the rank of captain. After the war, he became a successful merchant and was elected to the Continental Congress in 1786. During the Constitutional Convention, he played a significant role in shaping the final document, particularly in the area of taxation and the regulation of commerce.
Dayton was a strong advocate for a powerful central government, arguing that it was necessary to ensure the country's stability and prosperity. He believed that the federal government should have the authority to levy taxes and regulate commerce, addressing the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, which had given Congress the power to make rules and request funds from the states but had provided no enforcement mechanisms.
Dayton's signature on the Constitution, at the age of 26, marked his commitment to a strong and unified nation. He is remembered for his contributions to the formation of the United States and his belief in a robust central government to address the challenges facing the young country.
The signing of the Constitution was a significant moment in American history, and Dayton's participation as the youngest signer underscores the importance of the document's endorsement by a diverse range of individuals.
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The signing took place in Philadelphia
The signing of the United States Constitution took place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, specifically at Independence Hall. The Constitutional Convention was held in the Pennsylvania State House, which later became known as Independence Hall. The building had previously witnessed other significant events, such as the drafting of the Declaration of Independence and the signing of the Articles of Confederation.
On September 17, 1787, 39 delegates signed the United States Constitution, marking the conclusion of the Constitutional Convention. The signing occurred in Independence Hall's Assembly Room, where the delegates had debated the Constitution. The document was endorsed by delegates representing 12 states, with Rhode Island being the only state that did not send delegates.
The signing of the Constitution was a significant moment in American history. The delegates had gathered in Philadelphia with the task of revising the existing government, but they ultimately created a new form of government. The Constitution they signed stands as one of the longest-lived and most emulated constitutions in the world.
George Washington, as the president of the Convention, was the first to sign the Constitution. The remaining delegates followed, grouped by states in progression from north to south. Benjamin Franklin, at 81 years old, was the oldest signer, while Jonathan Dayton, at 26 years old, was the youngest.
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Frequently asked questions
George Washington was the first person to sign the completed Constitution.
39 people signed the Constitution.
The Constitution was signed at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787.
The signing of the Constitution was significant because it established a powerful central government and created a framework for the country that has lasted for over 200 years.
