Delegates signed the Constitution of the United States on September 17, 1787, another milestone remembered by America250.
The signing took place at Independence Hall in Philadelphia during the final session of the Constitutional Convention. Thirty-nine delegates endorsed the document, which created a stronger federal framework to replace the Articles of Confederation. The convention had begun in May and had spent months debating representation, executive power, taxation, and other issues.
Signing did not immediately put the Constitution into effect. The document required ratification by the states. Delaware became the first state to ratify it in December 1787, and New Hampshire became the ninth in June 1788, making the Constitution operative under its terms.
The date can be confused with July 4, 1776, when Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence, or March 4, 1789, when the new federal government began operating under the Constitution. Rhode Island did not send delegates to the convention and became the last state to ratify, in 1790.