Constitution of the United States

About

The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the United States of America. It superseded the Articles of Confederation, the nation's first constitution, in 1789. Originally comprising seven articles, it delineates the national frame and constraints of government.

Founded, May 25, 1787

The Constitutional Convention opens with a quorum of seven states in Philadelphia to discuss revising the Articles of Confederation. Eventually, all states but Rhodes Island are represented.

Ratified, June 21, 1788

The Constitution becomes effective for the ratifying states when New Hampshire is the ninth state to ratify it.

Signed, Sept 17, 1787

All 12 state delegations approve the Constitution, 39 delegates sign it of the 42 present, and the Convention formally adjourns. George Washington William Jackson

Signed, Dec 7, 1787

1st to ratify the constitution: Delaware - George Read, Gunning Bedford jr., John Dickinson, Richard Bassett, Jacob Broom

Signed, Dec 12, 1787

Pennsylvania - Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Mifflin, Robert Morris, George Clymer, Thomas Fitzsimons, Jared Ingersoll, James Wilson, Gouverneur Morris

Signed, Dec 18, 1787

New Jersey - William Livingston, David Brearley, William Paterson, Jonathan Dayton

Signed, Dec 31, 1787

Georgia - William Few, Abraham Baldwin

Signed, Jan 9, 1788

Connecticut - William Samuel Johnson, Roger Sherman

Signed, Feb 6, 1788

Massachusetts - Nathaniel Gorham, Rufus King

Signed, Apr 26, 1788

Maryland - James McHenry, Daniel of St Thomas Jenifer, Daniel Carroll

Signed, May 23, 1788

South Carolina - John Rutledge Charles Cotesworth Pinckney Charles Pinckney Pierce Butler

Signed, June 21, 1788

New Hampshire - John Langdon, Nicholas Gilman. The Constitution becomes effective for the ratifying states when New Hampshire is the ninth state to ratify it.

Signed, June 25, 1788

Virginia - John Blair, James Madison Jr.

Signed, July 26, 1788

New York - Alexander Hamilton

Founded, Mar 4, 1789

The first Congress under the Constitution convenes in New York City

Signed, Nov 21, 1789

North Carolina - William Blount Richard Dobbs Spaight Hugh Williamson

Signed, May 29, 1790

Rhode Island

Ratified, Dec 15, 1791

Virginia ratifies the Bill of Rights and 10 of the 12 proposed amendments become part of the US constitution

Factoids

1775 -"The sacred rights of mankind are not to be rummaged for, among old parchments, or musty records. They are written, as with a sun beam in the whole volume of human nature, by the hand of the divinity itself; and can never be erased or obscured by mortal power." - Alexander Hamilton

“…a constitution, intended to endure for ages to come, and consequently, to be adapted to various crises of human affairs.” - John marshall

At the conclusion of the Constitutional Convention, Benjamin Franklin was asked, “What have you wrought?” He answered, “…a Republic, if you can keep it."

Related Past Events

A Celebration of Constitution Day

Related People / Organizations

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John Langdon

Nicholas Gilman

Nathaniel Gorham

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ADDITIONAL PHOTOGRAPHS

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1787 - The Constitution of the United States - The Pennsylvania Packet - Page 4

DRAWINGS

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1787 - The Constitution of the United States - The Pennsylvania Packet - Page 1

1787 - The Constitution of the United States - The Pennsylvania Packet - Page 2

1787 - The Constitution of the United States - The Pennsylvania Packet - Page 3

1787 - The Constitution of the United States - The Pennsylvania Packet - Page 4