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Timeline of drafting and ratification of the United States Constitution

November 30, 2023

The drafting of the Constitution of the United States began on May 25, 1787, when the Constitutional Convention met for the first time with a quorum at the Pennsylvania State House (now Independence Hall) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to revise the Articles of Confederation. It ended on September 17, 1787, the day the Frame of Government drafted by the convention's delegates to replace the Articles was adopted and signed. The ratification process for the Constitution began that day, and ended when the final state, Rhode Island, ratified it on May 29, 1790.

In addition to key events during the Constitutional Convention and afterward while the Constitution was put before the states for their ratification, this timeline includes important events that occurred during the run-up to the convention and during the nation's transition from government under the Articles of Confederation to government under the Constitution. It concludes with the unique ratification vote of the Vermont Republic, which at the time was a sovereign state outside the Union. The time span covered is 5 years, 9 months, from March 25, 1785 to January 10, 1791.

1785 edit

March 25 • Maryland–Virginia conference convenes
Initially scheduled to assemble in Alexandria, Virginia on March 21, delegates representing the states of Maryland and Virginia gather at Mount Vernon, the Fairfax County home of George Washington, to address navigational rights in the states' common waterways.[1] Attending what later became known as the Mount Vernon Conference were: Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer, Thomas Stone, and Samuel Chase, from Maryland; along with George Mason, and Alexander Henderson of Virginia.[2]
March 28 • Maryland–Virginia conference concludes
Delegates approve a thirteen-point agreement, commonly known as the Mount Vernon Compact, regulating commerce, fishing, and navigation in the waters of the Potomac and Pocomoke Rivers, and Chesapeake Bay.[1] The agreement was subsequently ratified by both the Virginia and Maryland General Assemblies, becoming the nation's first interstate compact.[3][4]

1786 edit

January 21 • Conference to address certain defects of the federal government called
Virginia General Assembly calls for an interstate convention for the purpose of discussing and developing a consensus about reversing the protectionist trade and commerce barriers existing between the various states.[5]
September 11 • Annapolis Convention convenes
Delegates representing Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia meet at George Mann's Tavern[6] in Annapolis, Maryland to discuss ways to facilitate commerce between the states and establish standard rules and regulations. Appointed delegates from Massachusetts, New Hampshire, North Carolina, and Rhode Island either arrived too late to participate or otherwise did not attend.[7] Four states: Connecticut, Georgia, Maryland and South Carolina, did not appoint delegates.
September 14 • Annapolis Convention adjourns
The convention report, sent to Congress and the legislatures of the various states, contains a request that another convention be held the following May at Philadelphia to discuss amending the Articles of Confederation.[5][6]
November 23 •
New Jersey elects delegates to the proposed constitutional convention. David Brearley, Jonathan Dayton, William Houston, William Livingston, and William Paterson will attend.[8]
December 4 •
Virginia elects delegates to the proposed constitutional convention. John Blair Jr., James Madison, George Mason, James McClurg, Edmund Randolph, George Washington, and George Wythe will attend.[8]
December 30 •
Pennsylvania elects delegates to the proposed constitutional convention. George Clymer, Thomas FitzSimons, Benjamin Franklin, Jared Ingersoll, Thomas Mifflin, Gouverneur Morris, Robert Morris, and James Wilson will attend.[8]

1787 edit

January 6 •
North Carolina elects delegates to the proposed constitutional convention. William Blount, William Richardson Davie, Alexander Martin, Richard Dobbs Spaight, and Hugh Williamson will attend.[8]
January 17 •
New Hampshire elects delegates to the proposed Philadelphia Convention. Nicholas Gilman and John Langdon will attend.[8]
February 3 •
Delaware elects delegates to the proposed constitutional convention. Richard Bassett, Gunning Bedford Jr., Jacob Broom, and John Dickinson, and George Read will attend.[8]
February 10 •
Georgia elects delegates to the proposed constitutional convention. Abraham Baldwin, William Few, William Houstoun, and William Pierce will attend.[8]
February 21 • Convention to discuss revisions to the Articles of Confederation called
The Congress of the Confederation calls a constitutional convention "for the sole and express purpose of revising the Articles of Confederation and reporting to Congress and the several legislatures such alterations and provisions therein and when agreed to in Congress and confirmed by the States render the Federal Constitution adequate to the exigencies of Government and the preservation of the Union".[9]
March 3 •
Massachusetts elects delegates to the upcoming constitutional convention. Elbridge Gerry, Nathaniel Gorham, Rufus King, and Caleb Strong will attend.[8]
March 6 •
New York elects delegates to the upcoming constitutional convention. Alexander Hamilton, John Lansing Jr., and Robert Yates will attend.[8]
March 8 •
South Carolina elects delegates to the upcoming constitutional convention. Pierce Butler, Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, Charles Pinckney, and John Rutledge will attend.[8]
April 23 •
Maryland elects delegates to the upcoming constitutional convention. Daniel Carroll, Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer, Luther Martin, James McHenry, and John Mercer will attend.[8]
May 5 •
A motion to send delegates to the constitutional convention fails in the Rhode Island General Assembly.[10]
 
South facade of Independence Hall (formerly the Pennsylvania Statehouse), Philadelphia, where the Constitution was forged
May 14 • Constitutional Convention scheduled to begin
As only a small number of delegates have arrived in Philadelphia, the convention's opening meeting is postponed for lack of a quorum.[11]
May 14 •
Connecticut elects delegates to the constitutional convention. Oliver Ellsworth, William Samuel Johnson and Roger Sherman will attend.[8]
May 17 •
A letter from "Certain Citizens of Rhode Island" is sent to the convention expressing their support for its work and their regret that not every state will be participating.[10]
May 25 • Constitutional Convention convenes
As enough delegates have gathered at the Pennsylvania State House to constitute a quorum, the constitutional convention is called to order and delegates begin their work. George Washington is elected president of the convention. William Jackson is selected as the secretary to the convention. Alexander Hamilton, Charles Pinckney and George Wythe are chosen to prepare rules for the convention.[12]
 
George Washington, who served as president of the 1787 Constitutional Convention
 
Nathaniel Gorham, who served as chairman when delegates met as a Committee of the Whole
May 29 •
Virginia Plan (also known as the Large State Plan or the Randolph Plan) for structuring the federal government is presented by Edmund Randolph.[13]
May 29 •
Pinckney Plan for structuring the federal government is presented by Charles Pinckney.[14]
May 30 •
Nathaniel Gorham is elected to serve as chairman of the Committee of the Whole.[15]
June 11 •
Roger Sherman introduces the Connecticut Compromise (also known as the Sherman or Great Compromise) which calls for proportional representation (population-based) in the House of Representatives and equal representation for each state in the Senate. The plan would be referred to committee on July 2 and come up for a vote on July 16.[16]
June 15 •
New Jersey Plan (also known as the Small State Plan or the Paterson Plan) for structuring the federal government is presented by William Paterson.[17]
June 18 •
Hamilton Plan (also known as the British Plan) for structuring the federal government is presented by Alexander Hamilton.[18]
July 2 •
Committee of Eleven, composed of Abraham Baldwin, Gunning Bedford, William Davie, Oliver Ellsworth, Benjamin Franklin, Elbridge Gerry, Luther Martin, George Mason, John Rutledge, William Patterson, and Robert Yates, is selected to work out a compromise on the issue of representation in the two houses of the federal legislature. Committees like this one, which included one delegate from each state represented, were established on several occasions during the convention in order to secure a breakthrough so that the deliberative process could move forward in a productive fashion.[19]
July 12 •
Delegates from slave states and those from free states adopt the Three-Fifths Compromise concerning how slaves would be counted when apportioning representatives and direct taxes.[20][21]
July 16 •
Committee of Eleven report calls for the adoption of the Connecticut Compromise introduced by Roger Sherman on June 11. The compromise allowed proportional representation for seats in the House and equal representation for states in the Senate. The plan, which also proposed that all money bills originate in the House, is approved by the convention (5–4–1).[22]
July 24 •
Committee of Detail, composed of John Rutledge, Edmund Randolph, Nathaniel Gorham, Oliver Ellsworth, and James Wilson, is selected to write a first draft constitution reflective of the Resolutions passed by the convention up to that point.[12]
August 6 •
Committee of Detail report, proposing a twenty-three article (plus preamble) constitution is presented.[23]
August 18 •
Committee of Eleven composed of Abraham Baldwin, George Clymer, John Dickinson, Rufus King, John Langdon, William Livingston, George Mason, James McHenry, Charles C. Pinkney, Roger Sherman, and Hugh Williamson, is selected to address issues related to Federal assumption of state debts. Issues related to the militia are referred to this committee on August 20.[19]
August 22 •
Committee of Eleven composed of Abraham Baldwin, George Clymer, John Dickinson, William Johnson, Rufus King, John Langdon, William Livingston, Luther Martin, James Madison, Charles C. Pinkney, and Hugh Williamson, is selected to address issues related to federal tax and duty levying powers and also its power to regulate or prohibit the migration or importation of slaves.[19]
August 25 •
Committee of Eleven composed of Pierce Butler, Daniel Carrol, Jonathan Dayton, William Few, Thomas FitzSimons, Nathaniel Gorham, John Langdon, George Mason, George Read, Roger Sherman, and Hugh Williamson, is selected to consider issues related to interstate trade and navigation.[19]
August 31 •
Committee of Eleven (Leftover Business) composed of Abraham Baldwin, David Brearly, Pierce Butler, Daniel Carrol, John Dickinson, Nicholas Gilman, Rufus King, James Madison, Gouvernour Morris, Roger Sherman, and Hugh Williamson, is selected to settle "such parts of the Constitution as have been postponed, and such parts of Reports as have not been acted on".[12]
 
The convention voting record, which reflects the mutual concessions and compromises that produced the Constitution; this page records the final vote taken September 15, 1787
September 1–8 •
Committee of Eleven (Leftover Business) addresses several outstanding issues—including the method of choosing a president, the length of a presidential term of office, the president's treaty making power, and the impeachment of the president—and makes a series of reports.[19]
September 8 •
Committee of Style and Arrangement, composed of Alexander Hamilton, William Johnson, Rufus King, James Madison, and Gouverneur Morris, is selected to distill a final draft constitution from the twenty-three approved articles.[12]
September 12 •
Committee of Style and Arrangement presents the completed final draft of the Constitution to the convention for its consideration. The twenty-three articles have been reorganized into a cohesive document containing seven articles, a preamble and a closing endorsement, of which Gouverneur Morris was the primary author.[8] The committee also presented a proposed letter to accompany the constitution when delivered to Congress.[24]
September 13–14 •
The official copy of the draft Constitution is engrossed by Jacob Shallus.[25]
September 15 •
The draft Constitution receives the unanimous approval of the state delegations.[26]
 
Howard Chandler Christy's 1940 Scene at the Signing of the Constitution of the United States
September 17 • Constitution signed and convention adjourns
The approved Constitution is signed by thirty-nine delegates from twelve states (all but Rhode Island). One delegate, John Dickinson, who was ill and not present, had George Read sign his name by proxy. Three delegates present declined to sign the document: Edmund Randolph, George Mason, and Elbridge Gerry. George Washington, as president of the convention, signed first. The other delegates then signed, grouped by state in strict congressional voting order. Washington, however, signed near the right margin, and so when the delegates ran out of space beneath his signature, they began a second column of signatures to the left. Jackson, the convention secretary, also signed as a witness. The convention then adjourned sine die.[6]
September 18 • Proposed Constitution published
The Pennsylvania Packet prints the first public copies of the proposed Constitution in Philadelphia.[11]
September 20 •
Proposed Constitution is received by Congress.[27]
September 27 •
First Anti-Federalist letter by "Cato" is published.[28]
September 28 •
Congress of the Confederation votes to transmit the proposed Constitution to the thirteen states for ratification by the people in state conventions, as prescribed In its Article Seven.[29][30]
October 5 •
First Anti-Federalist letter by "Centinel" is published.[31]
October 8 •
First Anti-Federalist letter by "Federal Farmer" is published.[32]
October 18 •
First Anti-Federalist letter by "Brutus" is published.[33]
 
An advertisement for The Federalist, 1787, using the pseudonym "Philo-Publius"
October 27 •
First of The Federalist Papers by "Publius" (Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison), Hamilton's Federalist No. 1, is published in The Independent Journal.[34] The planned series of essays would, the authors hoped, "give a satisfactory answer to all the [Anti-Federalist] objections which shall have made their appearance, that may seem to have any claim to your attention."[35]
November 20 •
Ratifying convention begins in Pennsylvania.[36]
December 3 •
Ratifying convention begins in Delaware.[37]
December 7 • Ratification  
Delaware becomes the first state to ratify the Constitution (30–0).[38][39]
December 11 •
Ratifying convention begins in New Jersey.[40]
December 12 • Ratification  
Pennsylvania becomes the second state to ratify the Constitution (46–23).[38][39]
December 18 • Ratification  
New Jersey becomes the third state to ratify the Constitution (38–0).[38][39][40]
December 18 •
Pennsylvania convention Anti-Federalist minority publishes their "Dissent".[41]
December 25 •
Ratifying convention begins in Georgia.[42]

1788 edit

January 2 • Ratification  
Georgia becomes the fourth state to ratify the Constitution (26–0).[38][39]
January 3 •
Ratifying convention begins in Connecticut.[43]
January 9 • Ratification  
Connecticut becomes the fifth state to ratify the Constitution (128–40).[38][39]
January 9 •
Ratifying convention begins in Massachusetts.[44]
February 6 • Ratification  
Massachusetts becomes the sixth state to ratify the Constitution (187–168).[38][39] In addition to ratifying the constitution, Massachusetts requests that nineteen alterations be made to it.[45]
February 13–22 •
Ratifying convention (first session) held in New Hampshire.[46]
March 1 •
Flouting the letter and spirit of Article Seven of the proposed Constitution, the Rhode Island General Assembly calls for a statewide referendum rather than a state convention.[47][48]
March 24 •
Voters in Rhode Island overwhelmingly reject the Constitution (2,708–237).[47][48]
April 10 •
Albany Antifederal Committee publishes a circular forcefully objecting to the proposed constitution, calling the frame of government "more arbitrary and despotic than that of Great Britain."[49]
April 21 •
Ratifying convention begins in Maryland.[46]
April 28 • Ratification  
Maryland becomes the seventh state to ratify the Constitution (63–11).[38][39]
May 12 •
Ratifying convention begins in South Carolina.[50]
May 23 • Ratification  
South Carolina becomes the eighth state to ratify the Constitution (149–73).[38][39] In addition to ratifying the constitution, South Carolina requests that two alterations be made to it.[50]
June 2 •
Ratifying convention begins in Virginia.[46]
June 17 •
Ratifying convention begins in New York.[51]
June 18 •
Ratifying convention (second session) begins in New Hampshire.[52]
June 21 • Ratification  
New Hampshire becomes the ninth state to ratify the Constitution (57–47).[38][39] In addition to ratifying the constitution, New Hampshire requests that twelve alterations be made to it.[53]
 
Dates the 13 states ratified the Constitution
June 21 •
Having been ratified by nine of the thirteen states, the Constitution is officially established, and takes effect for those nine states.[54]
June 25 • Ratification  
Virginia becomes the tenth state to ratify the Constitution (89–79).[38][39] In addition to ratifying the constitution, Virginia requests that 20 alterations be made to it.[55]
July 2 •
Congress President Cyrus Griffin informs Congress that New Hampshire has ratified the Constitution and notes that this is the ninth ratification transmitted to them. A committee is formed to examine all ratifications received thus far and to develop a plan for putting the new Constitution into operation.[56][57]
July 21 – August 2 •
First ratifying convention held in Hillsborough, North Carolina. With the hope of effecting the incorporation of a bill of rights into the frame of government, delegates vote (184–84) neither to ratify nor to reject the Constitution.[58]
July 26 • Ratification  
New York becomes the eleventh state to ratify the Constitution (30–27).[38][39] In addition to ratifying the constitution, New York issues a circular letter requesting that 33 alterations be made to it, and also that the new United States Congress take positive action on all amendments demanded by other state ratifying conventions.[59]
September 13 •
Congress of the Confederation certifies that the new constitution has been duly ratified and sets date for first meeting of the new federal government and the presidential election.[56][60]
December 15, 1788 – January 10, 1789 • Presidential election held
First quadrennial presidential election under the new Constitution is held.[61]

1789 edit

February 4 • Electoral College convenes
Presidential electors meet to cast their votes in their respective states. George Washington is unanimously elected to be the nation's first president and John Adams is elected its first vice president, receiving 34 of 69 votes cast. Only ten of the thirteen states cast electoral votes in this election. North Carolina and Rhode Island were ineligible to participate as they had not yet ratified the Constitution. The New York legislature failed to appoint its allotted electors in time, so there were no voting electors from New York.[61][62]
 
Federal Hall, New York City, first seat of government of the United States under the Constitution
March 4 • United States Congress convenes
The federal government begins operations under the new form of government as members of the 1st United States Congress are seated at Federal Hall in New York City. The Senate of eleven states would include 20 Federalists and two Anti-federalists (both from Virginia). The House would seat 48 Federalists and 11 Anti-federalists (from four states: Massachusetts, New York, South Carolina, and Virginia).[63] However, the initial meeting of each chamber must be adjourned due to lack of a quorum.[64]
April 1 • House of Representatives achieves its first quorum
With a quorum being present representatives begin their work. Frederick Muhlenberg of Pennsylvania is elected Speaker of the House.[65]
April 6 • Senate achieves its first quorum
With a quorum being present senators begin their work. John Langdon of New Hampshire is elected President pro tempore of the Senate.[66]
April 6 • Electoral votes counted
The House and Senate, meeting in joint session, certify that George Washington has been elected President of the United States and John Adams elected as Vice President.[61][67]
April 21 • John Adams assumes vice presidential duties
John Adams is sworn in as Vice President of the United States in the Senate chamber at Federal Hall in New York City.[68]
 
George Washington's inauguration as the first President of the United States, April 30, 1789
April 30 • George Washington assumes presidential duties
George Washington inaugurated as President of the United States at Federal Hall in New York City. Washington placed his hand upon a Bible belonging to the St. John's Lodge No. 1, A.Y.M.[69] as Chancellor of New York Robert Livingston administered the presidential oath of office.[61][70]
September 25 • Constitutional amendments proposed by Congress
Twelve articles of amendment to the Constitution are approved by the Senate, having been passed by the House on the preceding day, both without recorded vote, and sent to the states for ratification.[71] Articles Three through Twelve were ratified as additions to the Constitution December 15, 1791, and are collectively known as the Bill of Rights.[72] Article Two became part of the Constitution May 7, 1992 as the Twenty-seventh Amendment.[73] Article One is technically still pending before the states.[38]
November 16 •
Second ratifying convention begins in Fayetteville, North Carolina.[74]
November 21 • Ratification  
North Carolina becomes the twelfth state to ratify the Constitution (194–77).[38][39] In addition to ratifying the constitution, North Carolina requests that twenty-six alterations be made to it.[75]

1790 edit

February 2 • Supreme Court of the United States convenes
The Supreme Court of the United States holds its inaugural session with a quorum present at the Royal Exchange Building on Broad Street in New York City, with Chief Justice John Jay presiding.[76] As set by the Judiciary Act of 1789, the Supreme Court would initially consist of a chief justice and five associate justices.[77]
March 1–6 •
Ratifying convention (first session) held in Rhode Island.[48][78]
May 24 •
Ratifying convention (second session) begins in Rhode Island.[78]
May 29 • Ratification  
Rhode Island becomes the thirteenth and final state to ratify the Constitution (34–32).[38][39] In addition to ratifying the constitution, Rhode Island requests that twenty-one alterations be made to it.[79]

1791 edit

January 6 •
Convention to consider joining the United States begins in Vermont.[80]
January 10 • Ratification and application  
Vermont votes to ratify the Constitution and to apply for admission to the Union (105–2).[80]

Gallery edit

 
Original parchment pages of the United States Constitution

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b "Mount Vernon Conference". Digital Encyclopedia. Mount Vernon, Virginia: Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, George Washington's Mount Vernon. Retrieved January 9, 2019.
  2. ^ Alden, Henry Mills, ed. (1880). Harper's New Monthly Magazine. Digitized May 14, 2008. Vol. 60. New York: Harper & Brothers. p. 364. Retrieved October 5, 2017.
  3. ^ "Maryland-Virginia Compact of 1785". Virginia Law. Richmond, Virginia: Legislative Information System, Commonwealth of Virginia. Retrieved October 5, 2017.
  4. ^ "The Mt. Vernon Compact & The Annapolis Convention". Annapolis, Maryland: Maryland State Archives. Retrieved January 9, 2019.
  5. ^ a b Scharf 1888, p. 268
  6. ^ a b c Wright & MacGregor 1987, p. 264
  7. ^ Ferling 2003, p. 268
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Meet the Framers of the Constitution". America's Founding Documents. Washington, D.C.: The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration. November 3, 2015. Retrieved September 7, 2017.
  9. ^ "Resolution of Congress, 21 Feb. 1787". The Founders' Constitution. University of Chicago Press. Retrieved October 4, 2015.
  10. ^ a b "Letter from Certain Citizens of Rhode Island to the Federal Convention". Ashland, Ohio: TeachingAmericanHistory.org. Retrieved October 21, 2015.
  11. ^ a b Maier 2010, p. 27
  12. ^ a b c d Vile, John R. (April 2006). "The Critical Role of Committees at the U.S. Constitutional Convention of 1787". The American Journal of Legal History. 48 (2): 147–176. doi:10.2307/25434790. JSTOR 25434790.
  13. ^ "Variant Texts of the Virginia Plan, Presented by Edmund Randolph to the Federal Convention". The Avalon Project at Yale Law School. Retrieved March 31, 2014.
  14. ^ "The Plan of Charles Pinckney (South Carolina), Presented to the Federal Convention". The Avalon Project at Yale Law School. Retrieved March 31, 2014.
  15. ^ Vile 2005, p. 324
  16. ^ Warren 1928, June 11
  17. ^ Madison 1787, June 15
  18. ^ "Variant Texts of the Plan Presented by Alexander Hamilton to the Federal Convention". The Avalon Project at Yale Law School. Retrieved March 31, 2014.
  19. ^ a b c d e "Committee Assignments Chart and Commentary". Ashland, Ohio: TeachingAmericanHistory.org. Retrieved March 30, 2014.
  20. ^ Lynd, Staughton (June 1966). "The Compromise of 1787". Political Science Quarterly. 81 (2): 225–250. doi:10.2307/2147971. JSTOR 2147971.
  21. ^ Applestein, Donald (February 12, 2013). "The three-fifths compromise: Rationalizing the irrational". Constitution Daily. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: National Constitution Center. Retrieved January 8, 2019.
  22. ^ Madison 1787, July 16
  23. ^ Madison 1787, August 6
  24. ^ Madison 1787, September 12
  25. ^ Vile 2005, p. 705
  26. ^ Madison 1787, September 15
  27. ^ Maier 2010, p. 52
  28. ^ "Cato I". Ashland, Ohio: TeachingAmericanHistory.org. Retrieved March 30, 2014.
  29. ^ Elliot 1836a, p. 319
  30. ^ Maier 2010, pp. 54–58
  31. ^ "Centinel I". Ashland, Ohio: TeachingAmericanHistory.org. Retrieved March 30, 2014.
  32. ^ "Federal Farmer I". Ashland, Ohio: TeachingAmericanHistory.org. Retrieved March 30, 2014.
  33. ^ "Brutus I". Ashland, Ohio: TeachingAmericanHistory.org. Retrieved March 30, 2014.
  34. ^ Millican 1990, p. 58
  35. ^ Gunn 1994, p. 540
  36. ^ Maier 2010, p. 100
  37. ^ Maier 2010, p. 122
  38. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Kilpatrick 1961, p. 24
  39. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Vile 2005, p. 658
  40. ^ a b "1787 Convention Minutes". New Jersey Department of State. Retrieved January 9, 2019.
  41. ^ "The Dissent of the Minority of the Convention of Pennsylvania". Ashland, Ohio: TeachingAmericanHistory.org. Retrieved March 30, 2014.
  42. ^ "The Georgia Ratifying Convention Meets". Ashland, Ohio: TeachingAmericanHistory.org. Retrieved October 21, 2015.
  43. ^ Maier 2010, p. 137
  44. ^ Maier 2010, p. 155
  45. ^ Elliot 1836a, p. 322
  46. ^ a b c Maier 2010, p. 125
  47. ^ a b "The Rhode Island State Referendum on the Constitution". csac.history.wisc.edu. Center for the Study of the American Constitution, University of Wisconsin–Madison. Retrieved January 8, 2019.
  48. ^ a b c Chaput, Erik; DeSimone, Russell J. (February 11, 2015). "Providence's Merchants Influence the State to Ratify the U.S. Constitution in 1790". smallstatebighistory.com. Retrieved January 8, 2019.
  49. ^ Maier 2010, p. 333
  50. ^ a b Elliot 1836a, p. 325
  51. ^ Maier 2010, p. 348
  52. ^ Maier 2010, p. 315
  53. ^ Elliot 1836a, p. 326
  54. ^ Maier 2010, p. 361
  55. ^ Elliot 1836c, pp. 659–661
  56. ^ a b Elliot 1836a, pp. 332–333
  57. ^ Maier 2010, pp. 376–377
  58. ^ North Carolina History Project. "Hillsborough Convention of 1788". Raleigh, North Carolina: John Locke Foundation. Retrieved October 12, 2015.
  59. ^ Elliot 1836a, pp. 329–319
  60. ^ Maier 2010, p. 429
  61. ^ a b c d "Presidential Election of 1789". Digital Encyclopedia. Mount Vernon, Virginia: Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, George Washington's Mount Vernon. Retrieved January 9, 2019.
  62. ^ Maier 2010, p. 438
  63. ^ Maier 2010, p. 433
  64. ^ . Philadelphia: National Constitution Center. March 4, 2013. Archived from the original on February 24, 2018. Retrieved October 21, 2015.
  65. ^ "The First Quorum of the House of Representatives: April 01, 1789". Office of the Historian and the Clerk of the House's Office of Art and Archives, U.S. House of Representatives. Retrieved January 9, 2019.
  66. ^ "Langdon, John, (1741 – 1819)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. United States Congress. Retrieved January 9, 2019.
  67. ^ "Senate Journal. 1st Congress, 1st session". April 6, 1789. p. 7.
  68. ^ Smith 1962, pp.744
  69. ^ "George Washington Inaugural Bible". St. John's Lodge No. 1, AYM. Retrieved October 4, 2015.
  70. ^ "George Washington's Inaugural Address". The National Archives. Retrieved October 4, 2015.
  71. ^ Labunski 2006, p.240
  72. ^ "Constitution of the United States—A History". America's Founding Documents. Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration. Retrieved October 4, 2015.
  73. ^ Killian, Johnny H.; Costello, George A.; Thomas, Kenneth R., eds. (2004). "The Constitution of the United States of America: Analysis and Interpretation" (PDF). U.S. Senate Document No. 108–17. Contributors: David M. Ackerman, Henry Cohen, Robert Meltz. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 44 n.19. Retrieved January 8, 2019.
  74. ^ "Minutes of the North Carolina Constitutional Convention at Fayetteville". Documenting the American South. UNC University Library. Retrieved October 21, 2015.
  75. ^ Elliot 1836d, pp. 244–247
  76. ^ "The Court as an Institution". Washington, D.C.: Public Information Office, Supreme Court of the United States. Retrieved February 28, 2018.
  77. ^ "Landmark Legislation: Judiciary Act of 1789". Washington, D.C.: Federal Judicial Center. Retrieved February 28, 2018.
  78. ^ a b Nesi, Ted (December 23, 2010). . WPRI-TV. Archived from the original on November 24, 2016. Retrieved November 24, 2016.
  79. ^ Elliot 1836a, pp. 336–337
  80. ^ a b Forbes, C.S. (March 1902). "Vermont's Admission to the Union". The Vermonter: A State Magazine. VII (8): 102. Retrieved March 29, 2014.

Bibliography edit

Further information: Bibliography of the United States Constitution
  • Elliot, Jonathan (1836a). Elliot's Debates. Vol. One (2nd ed.). Washington D.C.: Published under the sanction of Congress. LCCN 17007172.
  • —— (1836c). Elliot's Debates. Vol. Three (2nd ed.). Washington D.C.: Published under the sanction of Congress. LCCN 17007172.
  • —— (1836d). Elliot's Debates. Vol. Four (2nd ed.). Washington D.C.: Published under the sanction of Congress. LCCN 17007172.
  • Ferling, John (2003). A Leap in the Dark: The Struggle to Create the American Republic. New York, New York: Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-515924-0.
  • Gunn, Giles B., ed. (1994). Early American Writing. New York, New York: Penguin Group. ISBN 978-0-14-039087-2.
  • Kilpatrick, James J., ed. (1961). The Constitution of the United States and Amendments Thereto. Richmond, Virginia: Virginia Commission on Constitutional Government.
  • Labunski, Richard (2006). James Madison and the Struggle for the Bill of Rights. New York, New York: Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-518105-0.
  • Madison, James (1787). "Notes of Debates in the Federal Convention of 1787". New Haven, Connecticut: Avalon Project, Yale Law School Lillian Goldman Law Library – via The Debates in the Federal Convention of 1787, which framed the Constitution of the United States of America, reported by James Madison, a delegate from the state of Virginia. Hund, Gaillard; Scott, James Brown, eds. Oxford University Press, 1920.
  • Maier, Pauline (2010). Ratification: The People Debate the Constitution, 1787–1788. New York, New York: Simon & Schuster. ISBN 978-0-684-86854-7.
  • Millican, Edward (1990). One United People: The Federalist Papers and the National Idea. Lexington, Kentucky: University Press of Kentucky. ISBN 978-08131-6033-7.
  • Scharf, J. Thomas (1888). History of Delaware 1609–1888. Vol. One. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: L. J. Richards and Company.
  • Smith, Page (1962). John Adams. Vol. Two 1784–1826. Garden City, New York: Doubleday.
  • Vile, John R. (2005). The Constitutional Convention of 1787: A Comprehensive Encyclopedia of America's Founding. Vol. 1: A-M. Santa Barbara, California: ABC-CLIO. ISBN 978-1-85109-669-5.
  • Warren, Charles (1928). The Making of the Constitution. Boston: Little, Brown, and Company.
  • Wright, Robert K. Jr.; MacGregor, Morris J. Jr. (1987). "Appendix A: The Annapolis Convention". Soldier-Statesmen of the Constitution. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Army Center of Military History. ISBN 978-0-16-035959-0. CMH Pub 71-25.
  • Yates, Robert (1821). Secret Proceedings and Debates of the Convention Assembled at Philadelphia, in the Year 1787: For the Purpose of Forming the United States of America. Albany: Websters and Skinners.

External links edit

  • Constitution of the United States: Primary Documents in American History The Library of Congress
  • The States and the Ratification Process Center for the Study of the American Constitution, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of History
  • Founders Online: Correspondence and Other Writings of Six Major Shapers of the United States
  • The Fathers of the Constitution; a chronicle of the establishment of the Union by Max Farrand 1869–1945

November 30, 2023
timeline, drafting, ratification, united, states, constitution, drafting, constitution, united, states, began, 1787, when, constitutional, convention, first, time, with, quorum, pennsylvania, state, house, independence, hall, philadelphia, pennsylvania, revise. The drafting of the Constitution of the United States began on May 25 1787 when the Constitutional Convention met for the first time with a quorum at the Pennsylvania State House now Independence Hall in Philadelphia Pennsylvania to revise the Articles of Confederation It ended on September 17 1787 the day the Frame of Government drafted by the convention s delegates to replace the Articles was adopted and signed The ratification process for the Constitution began that day and ended when the final state Rhode Island ratified it on May 29 1790 In addition to key events during the Constitutional Convention and afterward while the Constitution was put before the states for their ratification this timeline includes important events that occurred during the run up to the convention and during the nation s transition from government under the Articles of Confederation to government under the Constitution It concludes with the unique ratification vote of the Vermont Republic which at the time was a sovereign state outside the Union The time span covered is 5 years 9 months from March 25 1785 to January 10 1791 Contents 1 1785 2 1786 3 1787 4 1788 5 1789 6 1790 7 1791 8 Gallery 9 See also 10 References 11 Bibliography 12 External links1785 editMarch 25 Maryland Virginia conference convenes Initially scheduled to assemble in Alexandria Virginia on March 21 delegates representing the states of Maryland and Virginia gather at Mount Vernon the Fairfax County home of George Washington to address navigational rights in the states common waterways 1 Attending what later became known as the Mount Vernon Conference were Daniel of St Thomas Jenifer Thomas Stone and Samuel Chase from Maryland along with George Mason and Alexander Henderson of Virginia 2 March 28 Maryland Virginia conference concludes Delegates approve a thirteen point agreement commonly known as the Mount Vernon Compact regulating commerce fishing and navigation in the waters of the Potomac and Pocomoke Rivers and Chesapeake Bay 1 The agreement was subsequently ratified by both the Virginia and Maryland General Assemblies becoming the nation s first interstate compact 3 4 1786 editJanuary 21 Conference to address certain defects of the federal government called Virginia General Assembly calls for an interstate convention for the purpose of discussing and developing a consensus about reversing the protectionist trade and commerce barriers existing between the various states 5 September 11 Annapolis Convention convenes Delegates representing Delaware New Jersey New York Pennsylvania and Virginia meet at George Mann s Tavern 6 in Annapolis Maryland to discuss ways to facilitate commerce between the states and establish standard rules and regulations Appointed delegates from Massachusetts New Hampshire North Carolina and Rhode Island either arrived too late to participate or otherwise did not attend 7 Four states Connecticut Georgia Maryland and South Carolina did not appoint delegates September 14 Annapolis Convention adjourns The convention report sent to Congress and the legislatures of the various states contains a request that another convention be held the following May at Philadelphia to discuss amending the Articles of Confederation 5 6 November 23 New Jersey elects delegates to the proposed constitutional convention David Brearley Jonathan Dayton William Houston William Livingston and William Paterson will attend 8 December 4 Virginia elects delegates to the proposed constitutional convention John Blair Jr James Madison George Mason James McClurg Edmund Randolph George Washington and George Wythe will attend 8 December 30 Pennsylvania elects delegates to the proposed constitutional convention George Clymer Thomas FitzSimons Benjamin Franklin Jared Ingersoll Thomas Mifflin Gouverneur Morris Robert Morris and James Wilson will attend 8 1787 editJanuary 6 North Carolina elects delegates to the proposed constitutional convention William Blount William Richardson Davie Alexander Martin Richard Dobbs Spaight and Hugh Williamson will attend 8 January 17 New Hampshire elects delegates to the proposed Philadelphia Convention Nicholas Gilman and John Langdon will attend 8 February 3 Delaware elects delegates to the proposed constitutional convention Richard Bassett Gunning Bedford Jr Jacob Broom and John Dickinson and George Read will attend 8 February 10 Georgia elects delegates to the proposed constitutional convention Abraham Baldwin William Few William Houstoun and William Pierce will attend 8 February 21 Convention to discuss revisions to the Articles of Confederation called The Congress of the Confederation calls a constitutional convention for the sole and express purpose of revising the Articles of Confederation and reporting to Congress and the several legislatures such alterations and provisions therein and when agreed to in Congress and confirmed by the States render the Federal Constitution adequate to the exigencies of Government and the preservation of the Union 9 March 3 Massachusetts elects delegates to the upcoming constitutional convention Elbridge Gerry Nathaniel Gorham Rufus King and Caleb Strong will attend 8 March 6 New York elects delegates to the upcoming constitutional convention Alexander Hamilton John Lansing Jr and Robert Yates will attend 8 March 8 South Carolina elects delegates to the upcoming constitutional convention Pierce Butler Charles Cotesworth Pinckney Charles Pinckney and John Rutledge will attend 8 April 23 Maryland elects delegates to the upcoming constitutional convention Daniel Carroll Daniel of St Thomas Jenifer Luther Martin James McHenry and John Mercer will attend 8 May 5 A motion to send delegates to the constitutional convention fails in the Rhode Island General Assembly 10 nbsp South facade of Independence Hall formerly the Pennsylvania Statehouse Philadelphia where the Constitution was forgedMay 14 Constitutional Convention scheduled to begin As only a small number of delegates have arrived in Philadelphia the convention s opening meeting is postponed for lack of a quorum 11 May 14 Connecticut elects delegates to the constitutional convention Oliver Ellsworth William Samuel Johnson and Roger Sherman will attend 8 May 17 A letter from Certain Citizens of Rhode Island is sent to the convention expressing their support for its work and their regret that not every state will be participating 10 May 25 Constitutional Convention convenes As enough delegates have gathered at the Pennsylvania State House to constitute a quorum the constitutional convention is called to order and delegates begin their work George Washington is elected president of the convention William Jackson is selected as the secretary to the convention Alexander Hamilton Charles Pinckney and George Wythe are chosen to prepare rules for the convention 12 nbsp George Washington who served as president of the 1787 Constitutional Convention nbsp Nathaniel Gorham who served as chairman when delegates met as a Committee of the WholeMay 29 Virginia Plan also known as the Large State Plan or the Randolph Plan for structuring the federal government is presented by Edmund Randolph 13 May 29 Pinckney Plan for structuring the federal government is presented by Charles Pinckney 14 May 30 Nathaniel Gorham is elected to serve as chairman of the Committee of the Whole 15 June 11 Roger Sherman introduces the Connecticut Compromise also known as the Sherman or Great Compromise which calls for proportional representation population based in the House of Representatives and equal representation for each state in the Senate The plan would be referred to committee on July 2 and come up for a vote on July 16 16 June 15 New Jersey Plan also known as the Small State Plan or the Paterson Plan for structuring the federal government is presented by William Paterson 17 June 18 Hamilton Plan also known as the British Plan for structuring the federal government is presented by Alexander Hamilton 18 July 2 Committee of Eleven composed of Abraham Baldwin Gunning Bedford William Davie Oliver Ellsworth Benjamin Franklin Elbridge Gerry Luther Martin George Mason John Rutledge William Patterson and Robert Yates is selected to work out a compromise on the issue of representation in the two houses of the federal legislature Committees like this one which included one delegate from each state represented were established on several occasions during the convention in order to secure a breakthrough so that the deliberative process could move forward in a productive fashion 19 July 12 Delegates from slave states and those from free states adopt the Three Fifths Compromise concerning how slaves would be counted when apportioning representatives and direct taxes 20 21 July 16 Committee of Eleven report calls for the adoption of the Connecticut Compromise introduced by Roger Sherman on June 11 The compromise allowed proportional representation for seats in the House and equal representation for states in the Senate The plan which also proposed that all money bills originate in the House is approved by the convention 5 4 1 22 July 24 Committee of Detail composed of John Rutledge Edmund Randolph Nathaniel Gorham Oliver Ellsworth and James Wilson is selected to write a first draft constitution reflective of the Resolutions passed by the convention up to that point 12 August 6 Committee of Detail report proposing a twenty three article plus preamble constitution is presented 23 August 18 Committee of Eleven composed of Abraham Baldwin George Clymer John Dickinson Rufus King John Langdon William Livingston George Mason James McHenry Charles C Pinkney Roger Sherman and Hugh Williamson is selected to address issues related to Federal assumption of state debts Issues related to the militia are referred to this committee on August 20 19 August 22 Committee of Eleven composed of Abraham Baldwin George Clymer John Dickinson William Johnson Rufus King John Langdon William Livingston Luther Martin James Madison Charles C Pinkney and Hugh Williamson is selected to address issues related to federal tax and duty levying powers and also its power to regulate or prohibit the migration or importation of slaves 19 August 25 Committee of Eleven composed of Pierce Butler Daniel Carrol Jonathan Dayton William Few Thomas FitzSimons Nathaniel Gorham John Langdon George Mason George Read Roger Sherman and Hugh Williamson is selected to consider issues related to interstate trade and navigation 19 August 31 Committee of Eleven Leftover Business composed of Abraham Baldwin David Brearly Pierce Butler Daniel Carrol John Dickinson Nicholas Gilman Rufus King James Madison Gouvernour Morris Roger Sherman and Hugh Williamson is selected to settle such parts of the Constitution as have been postponed and such parts of Reports as have not been acted on 12 nbsp The convention voting record which reflects the mutual concessions and compromises that produced the Constitution this page records the final vote taken September 15 1787September 1 8 Committee of Eleven Leftover Business addresses several outstanding issues including the method of choosing a president the length of a presidential term of office the president s treaty making power and the impeachment of the president and makes a series of reports 19 September 8 Committee of Style and Arrangement composed of Alexander Hamilton William Johnson Rufus King James Madison and Gouverneur Morris is selected to distill a final draft constitution from the twenty three approved articles 12 September 12 Committee of Style and Arrangement presents the completed final draft of the Constitution to the convention for its consideration The twenty three articles have been reorganized into a cohesive document containing seven articles a preamble and a closing endorsement of which Gouverneur Morris was the primary author 8 The committee also presented a proposed letter to accompany the constitution when delivered to Congress 24 September 13 14 The official copy of the draft Constitution is engrossed by Jacob Shallus 25 September 15 The draft Constitution receives the unanimous approval of the state delegations 26 nbsp Howard Chandler Christy s 1940 Scene at the Signing of the Constitution of the United StatesSeptember 17 Constitution signed and convention adjourns The approved Constitution is signed by thirty nine delegates from twelve states all but Rhode Island One delegate John Dickinson who was ill and not present had George Read sign his name by proxy Three delegates present declined to sign the document Edmund Randolph George Mason and Elbridge Gerry George Washington as president of the convention signed first The other delegates then signed grouped by state in strict congressional voting order Washington however signed near the right margin and so when the delegates ran out of space beneath his signature they began a second column of signatures to the left Jackson the convention secretary also signed as a witness The convention then adjourned sine die 6 September 18 Proposed Constitution published The Pennsylvania Packet prints the first public copies of the proposed Constitution in Philadelphia 11 September 20 Proposed Constitution is received by Congress 27 September 27 First Anti Federalist letter by Cato is published 28 September 28 Congress of the Confederation votes to transmit the proposed Constitution to the thirteen states for ratification by the people in state conventions as prescribed In its Article Seven 29 30 October 5 First Anti Federalist letter by Centinel is published 31 October 8 First Anti Federalist letter by Federal Farmer is published 32 October 18 First Anti Federalist letter by Brutus is published 33 nbsp An advertisement for The Federalist 1787 using the pseudonym Philo Publius October 27 First of The Federalist Papers by Publius Alexander Hamilton John Jay and James Madison Hamilton s Federalist No 1 is published in The Independent Journal 34 The planned series of essays would the authors hoped give a satisfactory answer to all the Anti Federalist objections which shall have made their appearance that may seem to have any claim to your attention 35 November 20 Ratifying convention begins in Pennsylvania 36 December 3 Ratifying convention begins in Delaware 37 December 7 Ratification nbsp Delaware becomes the first state to ratify the Constitution 30 0 38 39 December 11 Ratifying convention begins in New Jersey 40 December 12 Ratification nbsp Pennsylvania becomes the second state to ratify the Constitution 46 23 38 39 December 18 Ratification nbsp New Jersey becomes the third state to ratify the Constitution 38 0 38 39 40 December 18 Pennsylvania convention Anti Federalist minority publishes their Dissent 41 December 25 Ratifying convention begins in Georgia 42 1788 editJanuary 2 Ratification nbsp Georgia becomes the fourth state to ratify the Constitution 26 0 38 39 January 3 Ratifying convention begins in Connecticut 43 January 9 Ratification nbsp Connecticut becomes the fifth state to ratify the Constitution 128 40 38 39 January 9 Ratifying convention begins in Massachusetts 44 February 6 Ratification nbsp Massachusetts becomes the sixth state to ratify the Constitution 187 168 38 39 In addition to ratifying the constitution Massachusetts requests that nineteen alterations be made to it 45 February 13 22 Ratifying convention first session held in New Hampshire 46 March 1 Flouting the letter and spirit of Article Seven of the proposed Constitution the Rhode Island General Assembly calls for a statewide referendum rather than a state convention 47 48 March 24 Voters in Rhode Island overwhelmingly reject the Constitution 2 708 237 47 48 April 10 Albany Antifederal Committee publishes a circular forcefully objecting to the proposed constitution calling the frame of government more arbitrary and despotic than that of Great Britain 49 April 21 Ratifying convention begins in Maryland 46 April 28 Ratification nbsp Maryland becomes the seventh state to ratify the Constitution 63 11 38 39 May 12 Ratifying convention begins in South Carolina 50 May 23 Ratification nbsp South Carolina becomes the eighth state to ratify the Constitution 149 73 38 39 In addition to ratifying the constitution South Carolina requests that two alterations be made to it 50 June 2 Ratifying convention begins in Virginia 46 June 17 Ratifying convention begins in New York 51 June 18 Ratifying convention second session begins in New Hampshire 52 June 21 Ratification nbsp New Hampshire becomes the ninth state to ratify the Constitution 57 47 38 39 In addition to ratifying the constitution New Hampshire requests that twelve alterations be made to it 53 nbsp Dates the 13 states ratified the ConstitutionJune 21 Having been ratified by nine of the thirteen states the Constitution is officially established and takes effect for those nine states 54 June 25 Ratification nbsp Virginia becomes the tenth state to ratify the Constitution 89 79 38 39 In addition to ratifying the constitution Virginia requests that 20 alterations be made to it 55 July 2 Congress President Cyrus Griffin informs Congress that New Hampshire has ratified the Constitution and notes that this is the ninth ratification transmitted to them A committee is formed to examine all ratifications received thus far and to develop a plan for putting the new Constitution into operation 56 57 July 21 August 2 First ratifying convention held in Hillsborough North Carolina With the hope of effecting the incorporation of a bill of rights into the frame of government delegates vote 184 84 neither to ratify nor to reject the Constitution 58 July 26 Ratification nbsp New York becomes the eleventh state to ratify the Constitution 30 27 38 39 In addition to ratifying the constitution New York issues a circular letter requesting that 33 alterations be made to it and also that the new United States Congress take positive action on all amendments demanded by other state ratifying conventions 59 September 13 Congress of the Confederation certifies that the new constitution has been duly ratified and sets date for first meeting of the new federal government and the presidential election 56 60 December 15 1788 January 10 1789 Presidential election held First quadrennial presidential election under the new Constitution is held 61 1789 editFebruary 4 Electoral College convenes Presidential electors meet to cast their votes in their respective states George Washington is unanimously elected to be the nation s first president and John Adams is elected its first vice president receiving 34 of 69 votes cast Only ten of the thirteen states cast electoral votes in this election North Carolina and Rhode Island were ineligible to participate as they had not yet ratified the Constitution The New York legislature failed to appoint its allotted electors in time so there were no voting electors from New York 61 62 nbsp Federal Hall New York City first seat of government of the United States under the ConstitutionMarch 4 United States Congress convenes The federal government begins operations under the new form of government as members of the 1st United States Congress are seated at Federal Hall in New York City The Senate of eleven states would include 20 Federalists and two Anti federalists both from Virginia The House would seat 48 Federalists and 11 Anti federalists from four states Massachusetts New York South Carolina and Virginia 63 However the initial meeting of each chamber must be adjourned due to lack of a quorum 64 April 1 House of Representatives achieves its first quorum With a quorum being present representatives begin their work Frederick Muhlenberg of Pennsylvania is elected Speaker of the House 65 April 6 Senate achieves its first quorum With a quorum being present senators begin their work John Langdon of New Hampshire is elected President pro tempore of the Senate 66 April 6 Electoral votes counted The House and Senate meeting in joint session certify that George Washington has been elected President of the United States and John Adams elected as Vice President 61 67 April 21 John Adams assumes vice presidential duties John Adams is sworn in as Vice President of the United States in the Senate chamber at Federal Hall in New York City 68 nbsp George Washington s inauguration as the first President of the United States April 30 1789April 30 George Washington assumes presidential duties George Washington inaugurated as President of the United States at Federal Hall in New York City Washington placed his hand upon a Bible belonging to the St John s Lodge No 1 A Y M 69 as Chancellor of New York Robert Livingston administered the presidential oath of office 61 70 September 25 Constitutional amendments proposed by Congress Twelve articles of amendment to the Constitution are approved by the Senate having been passed by the House on the preceding day both without recorded vote and sent to the states for ratification 71 Articles Three through Twelve were ratified as additions to the Constitution December 15 1791 and are collectively known as the Bill of Rights 72 Article Two became part of the Constitution May 7 1992 as the Twenty seventh Amendment 73 Article One is technically still pending before the states 38 November 16 Second ratifying convention begins in Fayetteville North Carolina 74 November 21 Ratification nbsp North Carolina becomes the twelfth state to ratify the Constitution 194 77 38 39 In addition to ratifying the constitution North Carolina requests that twenty six alterations be made to it 75 1790 editFebruary 2 Supreme Court of the United States convenes The Supreme Court of the United States holds its inaugural session with a quorum present at the Royal Exchange Building on Broad Street in New York City with Chief Justice John Jay presiding 76 As set by the Judiciary Act of 1789 the Supreme Court would initially consist of a chief justice and five associate justices 77 March 1 6 Ratifying convention first session held in Rhode Island 48 78 May 24 Ratifying convention second session begins in Rhode Island 78 May 29 Ratification nbsp Rhode Island becomes the thirteenth and final state to ratify the Constitution 34 32 38 39 In addition to ratifying the constitution Rhode Island requests that twenty one alterations be made to it 79 1791 editJanuary 6 Convention to consider joining the United States begins in Vermont 80 January 10 Ratification and application nbsp Vermont votes to ratify the Constitution and to apply for admission to the Union 105 2 80 Gallery edit nbsp Original parchment pages of the United States ConstitutionSee also editConfederation Period Federal Procession of 1788 Founding Fathers of the United States History of the United States 1776 1789 Republicanism in the United States Notes of Debates in the Federal Convention of 1787References edit a b Mount Vernon Conference Digital Encyclopedia Mount Vernon Virginia Mount Vernon Ladies Association George Washington s Mount Vernon Retrieved January 9 2019 Alden Henry Mills ed 1880 Harper s New Monthly Magazine Digitized May 14 2008 Vol 60 New York Harper amp Brothers p 364 Retrieved October 5 2017 Maryland Virginia Compact of 1785 Virginia Law Richmond Virginia Legislative Information System Commonwealth of Virginia Retrieved October 5 2017 The Mt Vernon Compact amp The Annapolis Convention Annapolis Maryland Maryland State Archives Retrieved January 9 2019 a b Scharf 1888 p 268 a b c Wright amp MacGregor 1987 p 264 Ferling 2003 p 268 a b c d e f g h i j k l m Meet the Framers of the Constitution America s Founding Documents Washington D C The U S National Archives and Records Administration November 3 2015 Retrieved September 7 2017 Resolution of Congress 21 Feb 1787 The Founders Constitution University of Chicago Press Retrieved October 4 2015 a b Letter from Certain Citizens of Rhode Island to the Federal Convention Ashland Ohio TeachingAmericanHistory org Retrieved October 21 2015 a b Maier 2010 p 27 a b c d Vile John R April 2006 The Critical Role of Committees at the U S Constitutional Convention of 1787 The American Journal of Legal History 48 2 147 176 doi 10 2307 25434790 JSTOR 25434790 Variant Texts of the Virginia Plan Presented by Edmund Randolph to the Federal Convention The Avalon Project at Yale Law School Retrieved March 31 2014 The Plan of Charles Pinckney South Carolina Presented to the Federal Convention The Avalon Project at Yale Law School Retrieved March 31 2014 Vile 2005 p 324 Warren 1928 June 11 Madison 1787 June 15 Variant Texts of the Plan Presented by Alexander Hamilton to the Federal Convention The Avalon Project at Yale Law School Retrieved March 31 2014 a b c d e Committee Assignments Chart and Commentary Ashland Ohio TeachingAmericanHistory org Retrieved March 30 2014 Lynd Staughton June 1966 The Compromise of 1787 Political Science Quarterly 81 2 225 250 doi 10 2307 2147971 JSTOR 2147971 Applestein Donald February 12 2013 The three fifths compromise Rationalizing the irrational Constitution Daily Philadelphia Pennsylvania National Constitution Center Retrieved January 8 2019 Madison 1787 July 16 Madison 1787 August 6 Madison 1787 September 12 Vile 2005 p 705 Madison 1787 September 15 Maier 2010 p 52 Cato I Ashland Ohio TeachingAmericanHistory org Retrieved March 30 2014 Elliot 1836a p 319 Maier 2010 pp 54 58 Centinel I Ashland Ohio TeachingAmericanHistory org Retrieved March 30 2014 Federal Farmer I Ashland Ohio TeachingAmericanHistory org Retrieved March 30 2014 Brutus I Ashland Ohio TeachingAmericanHistory org Retrieved March 30 2014 Millican 1990 p 58 Gunn 1994 p 540 Maier 2010 p 100 Maier 2010 p 122 a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Kilpatrick 1961 p 24 a b c d e f g h i j k l m Vile 2005 p 658 a b 1787 Convention Minutes New Jersey Department of State Retrieved January 9 2019 The Dissent of the Minority of the Convention of Pennsylvania Ashland Ohio TeachingAmericanHistory org Retrieved March 30 2014 The Georgia Ratifying Convention Meets Ashland Ohio TeachingAmericanHistory org Retrieved October 21 2015 Maier 2010 p 137 Maier 2010 p 155 Elliot 1836a p 322 a b c Maier 2010 p 125 a b The Rhode Island State Referendum on the Constitution csac history wisc edu Center for the Study of the American Constitution University of Wisconsin Madison Retrieved January 8 2019 a b c Chaput Erik DeSimone Russell J February 11 2015 Providence s Merchants Influence the State to Ratify the U S Constitution in 1790 smallstatebighistory com Retrieved January 8 2019 Maier 2010 p 333 a b Elliot 1836a p 325 Maier 2010 p 348 Maier 2010 p 315 Elliot 1836a p 326 Maier 2010 p 361 Elliot 1836c pp 659 661 a b Elliot 1836a pp 332 333 Maier 2010 pp 376 377 North Carolina History Project Hillsborough Convention of 1788 Raleigh North Carolina John Locke Foundation Retrieved October 12 2015 Elliot 1836a pp 329 319 Maier 2010 p 429 a b c d Presidential Election of 1789 Digital Encyclopedia Mount Vernon Virginia Mount Vernon Ladies Association George Washington s Mount Vernon Retrieved January 9 2019 Maier 2010 p 438 Maier 2010 p 433 March 4 A forgotten huge day in American history Philadelphia National Constitution Center March 4 2013 Archived from the original on February 24 2018 Retrieved October 21 2015 The First Quorum of the House of Representatives April 01 1789 Office of the Historian and the Clerk of the House s Office of Art and Archives U S House of Representatives Retrieved January 9 2019 Langdon John 1741 1819 Biographical Directory of the United States Congress United States Congress Retrieved January 9 2019 Senate Journal 1st Congress 1st session April 6 1789 p 7 Smith 1962 pp 744 George Washington Inaugural Bible St John s Lodge No 1 AYM Retrieved October 4 2015 George Washington s Inaugural Address The National Archives Retrieved October 4 2015 Labunski 2006 p 240 Constitution of the United States A History America s Founding Documents Washington D C National Archives and Records Administration Retrieved October 4 2015 Killian Johnny H Costello George A Thomas Kenneth R eds 2004 The Constitution of the United States of America Analysis and Interpretation PDF U S Senate Document No 108 17 Contributors David M Ackerman Henry Cohen Robert Meltz Washington D C U S Government Printing Office p 44 n 19 Retrieved January 8 2019 Minutes of the North Carolina Constitutional Convention at Fayetteville Documenting the American South UNC University Library Retrieved October 21 2015 Elliot 1836d pp 244 247 The Court as an Institution Washington D C Public Information Office Supreme Court of the United States Retrieved February 28 2018 Landmark Legislation Judiciary Act of 1789 Washington D C Federal Judicial Center Retrieved February 28 2018 a b Nesi Ted December 23 2010 Rhode Islanders were not feelin the Constitution WPRI TV Archived from the original on November 24 2016 Retrieved November 24 2016 Elliot 1836a pp 336 337 a b Forbes C S March 1902 Vermont s Admission to the Union The Vermonter A State Magazine VII 8 102 Retrieved March 29 2014 Bibliography editFurther information Bibliography of the United States Constitution Elliot Jonathan 1836a Elliot s Debates Vol One 2nd ed Washington D C Published under the sanction of Congress LCCN 17007172 1836c Elliot s Debates Vol Three 2nd ed Washington D C Published under the sanction of Congress LCCN 17007172 1836d Elliot s Debates Vol Four 2nd ed Washington D C Published under the sanction of Congress LCCN 17007172 Ferling John 2003 A Leap in the Dark The Struggle to Create the American Republic New York New York Oxford University Press ISBN 978 0 19 515924 0 Gunn Giles B ed 1994 Early American Writing New York New York Penguin Group ISBN 978 0 14 039087 2 Kilpatrick James J ed 1961 The Constitution of the United States and Amendments Thereto Richmond Virginia Virginia Commission on Constitutional Government Labunski Richard 2006 James Madison and the Struggle for the Bill of Rights New York New York Oxford University Press ISBN 978 0 19 518105 0 Madison James 1787 Notes of Debates in the Federal Convention of 1787 New Haven Connecticut Avalon Project Yale Law School Lillian Goldman Law Library via The Debates in the Federal Convention of 1787 which framed the Constitution of the United States of America reported by James Madison a delegate from the state of Virginia Hund Gaillard Scott James Brown eds Oxford University Press 1920 Maier Pauline 2010 Ratification The People Debate the Constitution 1787 1788 New York New York Simon amp Schuster ISBN 978 0 684 86854 7 Millican Edward 1990 One United People The Federalist Papers and the National Idea Lexington Kentucky University Press of Kentucky ISBN 978 08131 6033 7 Scharf J Thomas 1888 History of Delaware 1609 1888 Vol One Philadelphia Pennsylvania L J Richards and Company Smith Page 1962 John Adams Vol Two 1784 1826 Garden City New York Doubleday Vile John R 2005 The Constitutional Convention of 1787 A Comprehensive Encyclopedia of America s Founding Vol 1 A M Santa Barbara California ABC CLIO ISBN 978 1 85109 669 5 Warren Charles 1928 The Making of the Constitution Boston Little Brown and Company Wright Robert K Jr MacGregor Morris J Jr 1987 Appendix A The Annapolis Convention Soldier Statesmen of the Constitution Washington D C U S Army Center of Military History ISBN 978 0 16 035959 0 CMH Pub 71 25 Yates Robert 1821 Secret Proceedings and Debates of the Convention Assembled at Philadelphia in the Year 1787 For the Purpose of Forming the United States of America Albany Websters and Skinners External links editTimeline of drafting and ratification of the United States Constitution at Wikipedia s sister projects nbsp Media from Commons nbsp Quotations from Wikiquote nbsp Texts from Wikisource nbsp Textbooks from Wikibooks Constitution of the United States Primary Documents in American History The Library of Congress The States and the Ratification Process Center for the Study of the American Constitution University of Wisconsin Madison Department of History Founders Online Correspondence and Other Writings of Six Major Shapers of the United States The Fathers of the Constitution a chronicle of the establishment of the Union by Max Farrand 1869 1945 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Timeline of drafting and ratification of the United States Constitution amp oldid 1183951797, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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