U.S. Constitution Day

"Constitution Day celebrates the ratification of the United States Constitution on September 17, 1787."

Until the constitution was officially signed into law by nine of the original thirteen states, the nation had been loosely governed since 1777 by the Articles of Confederation.

These Articles set basic rules for the federal government to function. The U.S. government held the powers to:

Led by George Washington and Alexander Hamilton, a move toward establishing a stable framework for government began.

To unite the thirteen states there was need for:

• a president
• a national currency
• some form of judiciary
• a way to levy taxes to pay national debts
• agencies to regulate trade and resolve disputes between states
• diplomatic agencies to manage relations between the U.S. and other countries

There was also need of enough military strength to repel the influence of Britain in the Northwest Territory, Spain in Louisiana and Florida, and Indian attacks on all fronts.

Philadelphia Convention

In May of 1787 delegates of twelve of the thirteen states met to discuss how to improve the Articles of Confederation. They agreed to the basic objectives stated in the Constitution's preamble:

"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."

Constitutional Convention

May 25, 1787 to September 17, 1787

It was agreed that each state have two seats in the Senate, and that each state's number of seats in the House of Representatives would be determined by its population: no more than one representative for each 30,000 residents.

All legislation pertaining to federal revenue and taxation would originate in the House of Representatives, as that body would more closely reflect the sentiment of the people.

The delegates took up many contentious issues, important among them were these:

• establish a framework for electing representatives
• criminal guilt should be determined by the judgment of peers
• affirmation and preservation of personal liberties and rights

Ratification of the Constitution

Delaware was the first state to ratify the Constitution on December 7, 1787. The 9th state to ratify was New Hampshire on June 21, 1788. This satisfied the requirement of ratification by nine of the thirteen states for the new Constitution to become law.

All thirteen states eventually ratified the Constitution, with Rhode Island being the last to do so on May 29, 1790.

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