Omar Bennett
On September 17, 1787, 39 delegates to the Constitutional Convention signed the United States Constitution, endorsing the document created during the four-month-long convention. The signing took place at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with delegates representing 12 states, as Rhode Island did not send any delegates. The delegates included individuals with experience in local, colonial, and state governments, and virtually all of them had participated in the American Revolution. The youngest signer was 26-year-old Jonathan Dayton, and the oldest was 81-year-old Benjamin Franklin. The signing of the Constitution, witnessed and facilitated by individuals like Franklin and George Washington, marked a significant step in the formation of the United States' federal government and the functioning of its three branches.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | September 17, 1787 |
| Location | Independence Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Number of Signatures | 39 |
| Number of Delegates | 70 appointed, 55 attended |
| Number of Refusals to Sign | 3 |
| Age Range of Signers | 26-81 |
| Oldest Signer | Benjamin Franklin |
| Youngest Signer | Jonathan Dayton |
| Secretary of the Convention | William Jackson |
| Artist of the Signing | Howard Chandler Christy |
Explore related products
![Founding Fathers [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71f9-HsS5nL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
What You'll Learn
- The signing took place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on September 17, 1787
- delegates signed the Constitution
- Benjamin Franklin, aged 81, was the oldest signer
- George Washington signed first, followed by each state delegation from north to south
- The Syng inkstand was used at the signing of the Constitution
The signing took place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on September 17, 1787
The signing of the United States Constitution took place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on September 17, 1787. The Constitutional Convention was held at Independence Hall, where 39 delegates from 12 states endorsed the Constitution. The signing ceremony followed the four-month-long convention. The delegates represented a cross-section of 18th-century American leadership, with experience in local, colonial, and state governments.
The 39 signatories included individuals who had taken part in the American Revolution, with seven having signed the Declaration of Independence and 30 having served in the military. The delegates ranged in age from 26-year-old Jonathan Dayton to 81-year-old Benjamin Franklin, who was so infirm that he had to be carried to the sessions in a sedan chair.
The signing ceremony was a significant event in American history, marking the creation of a new governing document for the young nation. The Constitution laid out the framework for the federal government and delineated the functions of its three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. The delegates' endorsement included signatures, a declaration of successful completion, and a statement of adoption by the states present.
The convention's secretary, William Jackson, added a note verifying four handwritten amendments to the final document, signing it to authenticate its validity. Jacob Shallus, the assistant clerk for the Pennsylvania General Assembly, engrossed (copied) the document in a clear hand, a task that took him about 40 hours to complete.
The signing of the Constitution has been commemorated through art, including Howard Chandler Christy's 1940 painting, which depicts the scene at Independence Hall in Philadelphia. The painting, commissioned as part of the 150th anniversary of the Constitution, is known for its bright colours and impressionistic brushwork.
The Constitution's Signature: A Historical Turning Point
You may want to see also
39 delegates signed 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, 55 attended the sessions, but only 39 signed the Constitution. The 39 signatories represented 12 states, with Rhode Island being the only state that refused to send delegates.
The delegates who signed the Constitution endorsed the document created during the four-month-long convention. They also included a brief declaration stating that their work had been successfully completed and that they subscribed to the final document. The convention's secretary, William Jackson, added a note verifying four amendments made by hand to the final document and signed it to authenticate its validity.
The signatories of the Constitution represented a cross-section of 18th-century American leadership, with individuals having experience in local, colonial, or state government. Virtually every signer had participated in the American Revolution; seven had signed the Declaration of Independence, and thirty had served on active military duty.
The youngest signer was 26-year-old Jonathan Dayton, while the oldest was 81-year-old Benjamin Franklin, who was so infirm that he had to be carried to the sessions in a sedan chair. Franklin summed up the sentiments of those who signed the Constitution, acknowledging that while there were parts of the document he did not approve of, he accepted it because he "expected no better" and was "not sure that it [was] not the best."
Who Signed the Constitution? Understanding the Founding Congressmen
You may want to see also
Benjamin Franklin, aged 81, was the oldest signer
The oldest signer of the United States Constitution was Benjamin Franklin, aged 81. Franklin was one of 39 delegates to the Constitutional Convention who endorsed the Constitution, and he was the oldest of the delegates, with the youngest being 26-year-old Jonathan Dayton. The signing took place on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and the Constitution was crafted during a four-month-long convention.
Benjamin Franklin is known for his significant contributions to the founding of the United States, and his involvement in the creation and signing of the Constitution is a notable aspect of his legacy. At 81, Franklin was in a state of infirmity and had to be carried to the sessions in a sedan chair. Despite his advanced age and physical limitations, he played a crucial role in the proceedings.
On the final day of the Constitutional Convention, Franklin delivered an address endorsing the Constitution. Due to his health, the address was read by James Wilson on his behalf. Franklin's speech strongly supported the Constitution, even though he acknowledged that it had imperfections. He summed up the sentiments of many of the signers, expressing that while he might not approve of every part of the document, he accepted it as a necessary step forward.
Franklin's address played a pivotal role in gaining the support of critics and fostering a sense of unity among the delegates. Following his speech, he proposed that the Constitution be endorsed by the delegates as individual witnesses of the unanimous consent of the states present. This proposal was accepted, and the signers subscribed their names as witnesses to the proceedings, rather than on behalf of their respective states.
Benjamin Franklin's presence and influence at the Constitutional Convention, despite his advanced age, demonstrate his unwavering dedication to the formation of the United States. His willingness to compromise and his ability to articulate the sentiments of his fellow delegates contributed to the successful signing of the Constitution, a document that continues to shape the nation's federal government and the functioning of its legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
Gouverneur Morris: Constitution Signer or Not?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
George Washington signed first, followed by each state delegation from north to south
The United States Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The signing ceremony concluded a four-month-long Constitutional Convention, during which a Constitution was drafted by 55 of the 74 attending delegates from 12 states (all except Rhode Island). The final document was endorsed by 39 delegates, who signed their names as witnesses to what was done in the convention, rather than on behalf of their individual states.
George Washington, as president of the Convention, signed first. His signature was followed by the other delegates, grouped by state, in a progression from north to south. Washington signed near the right margin of the page, and when space ran out, the delegates began a second column of signatures to the left.
The list of delegates who signed the Constitution includes John Dickinson, who was ill at the time and authorized George Read to sign on his behalf. The convention's secretary, William Jackson, also signed the document to authenticate corrections made by hand. Jonathan Dayton, aged 26, was the youngest signer, while Benjamin Franklin, aged 81, was the oldest.
Howard Chandler Christy's 1940 painting, 'Signing of the Constitution', depicts the signing ceremony at Independence Hall. The 20-by-30-foot oil-on-canvas scene is on display in the east grand stairway of the House wing in the US Capitol.
Who Signed the Constitution? Richard Henry Lee's Role
You may want to see also
The Syng inkstand was used at the signing of the Constitution
The Syng inkstand was used at the signing of the United States Constitution on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The inkstand was placed on a desk in front of George Washington, the president of the convention. The signing of the Constitution was a significant event in American history, with 39 delegates out of 55 endorsing the document created during the four-month-long convention. The Syng inkstand became a notable artifact associated with this historic moment.
The inkstand witnessed the delegates' signatures, including Benjamin Franklin, the oldest signer at 81, who summed up the sentiments of those who agreed to the Constitution despite its imperfections. Franklin's address, read by James Wilson, strongly endorsed the Constitution, and he proposed that the delegates sign as individual witnesses to the unanimous consent of the states. This proposal was accepted, and the signers subscribed their names accordingly.
The Syng inkstand, along with the Constitution and other artifacts, became the property of the State of Pennsylvania after the Constitutional Convention ended. It was moved to the state capital, Harrisburg, and later returned to Philadelphia in 1876 for the centennial of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The inkstand was displayed in Independence Hall, taking a prominent place in front of George Washington's chair.
The inkstand's significance was further emphasised when, in 1922, it was carefully removed from Independence Hall due to fears that the building's plaster ceiling might collapse. Today, the Syng inkstand is carefully preserved and displayed in a special case in Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia. It serves as a reminder of the momentous occasion when the United States Constitution was signed, shaping the nation's federal government and the functioning of its legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
California Stop Sign Laws: When to Fully Stop
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
39 delegates witnessed and signed the Constitution, representing 12 states.
The signing of the Constitution laid the framework for the nation's federal government and described how its 3 branches (legislative, executive, and judicial) would function.
The signing took place at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on September 17, 1787.
Jonathan Dayton, aged 26, was the youngest signer.
Benjamin Franklin, aged 81, was the oldest signer. He was so infirm that he had to be carried to the sessions in a sedan chair.
![A History of Violence (The Criterion Collection) [4K UHD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71lqpbUFtWL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
