2007-10-25 08:05:54 · 5 answers · asked by bonnie c 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Government
What? You have never heard of 1776?
2007-10-25 08:15:22 · answer #1 · answered by Nothingusefullearnedinschool 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It was ratified in 1788 (although Virginia, New York, and North Carolina didn't approve it for another few months, and Rhode Island held back until May of 1790), and officially took effect on March 4, 1789 -- also the first day of George Washington's first Presidential term. It's been 218 years.
2007-10-25 15:43:40 · answer #2 · answered by Richard S 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In September 1786, commissioners from five states met in the Annapolis Convention to discuss adjustments to the Articles of Confederation that would improve commerce. They invited other state representatives to convene in Philadelphia to discuss improvements to the federal government, but after a debate, the Congress of the Confederation endorsed the plan to revise the Articles of Confederation on February 21, 1787.
Twelve states, Rhode Island being the only exception, accepted this invitation and sent delegates to convene in May 1787. The resolution calling the Convention specified that its purpose was to propose amendments to the Articles, but the Convention decided to propose a rewritten Constitution. The Philadelphia Convention voted to keep the deliberations top secret and decided to draft a new fundamental government design which eventually stipulated that only nine of the thirteen states would have to ratify for the new government to go into effect (for the participating states).
On September 17, 1787, the Constitution was completed in Philadelphia at the Federal Convention, followed by a speech given by Benjamin Franklin who urged unanimity, although they decided they only needed nine states to ratify the constitution for it to go into effect.
By May 1790 the last state (Rhode Island) ratified the Constitution (34 votes for, 32 votes against).
What started out to be a revision of the Articles of Confederation became a convention for a new government.
2007-10-25 15:27:36 · answer #3 · answered by Catie I 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
218 years
2007-10-25 15:10:53 · answer #4 · answered by TG 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
signed into law in September 17, 1787
that would make it 220 years, 1 month, and 7 days old.... wow, thats pretty old!
2007-10-25 15:16:34 · answer #5 · answered by nacsez 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋