Constitution of the United States

Page one of the original copy of the Constitution of the United States

Historical Context

The supreme law of the United States of America, the US Constitution was drafted by the Philadelphia Constitutional Convention which took place between May 25 and September 17, 1787.

It was the first constitution of its kind, and has influenced the constitutions of many other nations.

Since the Constitution came into force in 1789, it has been amended 27 times.

Document Info

Author(s): Philadelphia Convention
Date taken: September 17, 1787
Location signed: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Source: U.S. National Archives and Records Administration

Related Events

1787-05-14 Delegates gather in Philadelphia to draw up the Constitution of the United States
1787-09-17 The US Constitution is signed by delegates at the Philadelphia Convention
1787-12-07 Delaware is the 1st state to ratify the US constitution
1787-12-12 Pennsylvania becomes 2nd state to ratify US constitution
1787-12-18 New Jersey becomes the third state to ratify the US constitution
1788-01-02 Georgia is 4th state to ratify US constitution
1788-01-09 Connecticut becomes 5th state to ratify the US constitution
1788-04-28 Maryland becomes 7th state to ratify US constitution
1788-05-23 South Carolina becomes 8th state to ratify US constitution
1788-06-21 US Constitution comes into effect when New Hampshire is the 9th state to ratify it
1788-06-25 Virginia becomes 10th state to ratify US constitution
1788-07-26 New York becomes 11th state to ratify US constitution
1789-03-04 1st US Congress meets and declares constitution in effect (9 senators, 13 reps)
1790-05-29 Rhode Island becomes last of original 13 colonies ratifying US Constitution
1861-02-09 Confederate Provisional Congress declares all laws under the US Constitution were consistent with constitution of Confederate states (US Civil War)