The Signing of the United States Constitution in 1787

A group of men gathered at the Constitutional Convention in 1787 in Philadelphia to draft a constitution for the newly formed United States. Led by George Washington, they discussed, argued, and made key decisions in secret meetings. James Madison meticulously recorded the discussions while Benjamin Franklin, at 81, was the oldest attendee. After 4 months of deliberations, the Constitution was completed and signed by 39 men on September 17, 1787.

• United States Constitution
• Constitutional Convention
• Founding Fathers
• American History
• George Washington

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1. Our Constitution Our Constitution

2. In 1787 a group of men went to a special meeting called the Constitutional Convention.

3. They met in Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

4. The men were from 12 of the 13 states, and they wrote a constitution for our new government . United States United States

5. A constitution is a list of rules and laws that explain what our government can and cannot do.

6. The meetings were held in secret, so all of the men could talk freely about their ideas.

7. George Washington was chosen as the leader of the Constitutional Convention.

8. James Madison wrote down everything that was said.

9. The oldest man to attend the Constitutional Convention was Benjamin Franklin, who was 81-years-old.

10. During the convention, 55 men talked, argued, and made many important decisions. Image:George Mason.jpg Image:Alexander Hamilton portrait by John Trumbull 1806.jpg George Mason Alexander Hamilton

11. After 4 months, the Constitution was finally completed.

12. Thirty-nine men signed the Constitution on September 17, 1787. John Langdon Robert Morris Daniel Carroll Nicholas Gilman George Clymer John Blair Nathaniel Gorham Thomas Fitzsimons James Madison, Jr. Rufus King Jared Ingersoll William Blount William Samuel Johnson James Wilson Richard Dobbs Spaight Roger Sherman Gouverneur Morris Hugh Williamson Alexander Hamilton George Read John Rutledge William Livingston Gunning Bedford, Jr. Charles Cotesworth Pinckney David Brearly John Dickinson Charles Pinckney William Paterson Richard Bassett Pierce Butler Jonathan Dayton Jacob Broom William Few Benjamin Franklin James McHenry Abraham Baldwin Thomas Mifflin Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer George Washington

13. The states were then asked to vote for or against the Constitution. Several states would not vote for the Constitution unless a bill of rights was added.

14. A bill of rights lists the rights or freedoms citizens have such as: the freedom to say what they want to say the freedom to worship as they please the right to a fair trial

15. Those who were in favor of the Constitution promised that a bill of rights would be added after the Constitution was approved. The Bill of Rights was added, as promised, in 1791.

16. The Constitution has 3 parts: The Preamble is the beginning of the Constitution and explains why we have a Constitution. The Articles explain how our government is set up and how the Constitution can be changed. (There are 7 articles.) The Amendments are changes made to the Constitution. The first 10 amendments are called the Bill of Rights. (There are a total of 27 amendments.)

17. Our Constitution is now over 200-years-old. You can see the Constitution of the United States in the National Archives in Washington, D.C.