On May 25, 1787, fifty-five state delegates representing every state except Rhode Island convened at Philadelphia’s Pennsylvania State House for the Constitutional Convention. The building, which is now known as Independence Hall, had earlier seen the drafting of the Declaration of Independence and the signing of the Articles of Confederation. Revolutionary War hero George Washington, a delegate from Virginia, was elected Convention President.
During three months and 23 days of debate, the delegates devised a brilliant federal system characterized by an intricate system of checks and balances.
On September 17, 1787, the Constitution of the United States of America was signed by 38 of the 41 delegates present at the conclusion of the convention. As dictated by Article VII, the document would not become binding until it was ratified by nine of the 13 states.
On June 21, 1788, New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify the document, and it was subsequently agreed that government under the US Constitution would begin on March 4, 1789.
We will probably never see another group that radiates the brilliance of our Founding Fathers. Think about the most you've ever accomplished in three months and 23 days and compare that to the drafting and signing of the US Constitution. That's how much time remains between now and Constitution Day, which will fall on Sunday of Grand Lake US Constitution Week this year. Please consider contributing you time, treasure and talent to this amazing event and be part of history. Start planning to attend now!
"Educate and inform the whole mass of the people . . . They are the only sure reliance for the preservation of our liberty."
-Thomas Jefferson
