when was the constitution created
The United States Constitution was written during the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in the summer of 1787 and was completed and signed on September 17, 1787. It then became the official framework of government after it was ratified by the required number of states on June 21, 1788.
Quick Scoop
- The Constitution was drafted between May 25 and September 17, 1787, at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia.
- Delegates signed the finished document on September 17, 1787, a date now marked as Constitution Day in the U.S.
- It officially took effect after New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify it on June 21, 1788.
- The final state, Rhode Island, ratified the Constitution on May 29, 1790, completing the original 13 states’ approval.
Think of it this way: the Constitution was written and signed in 1787, but it truly came to life for the new nation once enough states agreed to it in 1788.
Mini Timeline
- May 25, 1787 – Convention reaches a quorum and begins drafting in Philadelphia.
- September 17, 1787 – Delegates approve and sign the Constitution.
- June 21, 1788 – New Hampshire’s ratification makes the Constitution the official framework of government.
- May 29, 1790 – Rhode Island ratifies, becoming the 13th and final original state to approve it.
Key Dates Table (HTML)
| Event | Date | What Happened |
|---|---|---|
| Drafting begins | May 25, 1787 | Constitutional Convention reaches a quorum and starts work in Philadelphia. | [5][3]
| Constitution signed | September 17, 1787 | Delegates approve and sign the completed Constitution. | [2][7][3]
| Constitution ratified (takes effect) | June 21, 1788 | New Hampshire becomes the ninth state to ratify, making the Constitution the official framework of government. | [1][3]
| Final original state ratifies | May 29, 1790 | Rhode Island ratifies, completing approval by all 13 original states. | [3][5]
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.
