- The Convention was originally called to revise the Articles of Confederation, not to write an entirely new Constitution. This is a teaching point because it shows how delegates moved from “fixing” the old government to replacing it with a stronger federal system; the Library of Congress notes that the delegates gathered intending to revise the Articles, but the process became the creation of a new national framework.
- The U.S. Constitution is the oldest written national constitution still in use.
This makes it an unusual example of a plan for self-government that has lasted for generations. The National Archives describes the Constitution as the foundation that united the states under “We the People,” and the National Archives Museum virtual exhibit notes that it is among the oldest and shortest written constitutions still in effect. - Constitution Day is observed on September 17 because that is the day the Constitution was signed in 1787.
The National Archives explains that September 17 marks the signing of the U.S. Constitution in Philadelphia, and the S. Department of Education identifies it as Constitution Day and Citizenship Day. - The Constitution begins with the phrase “We the People,” which points students to the idea of government by the people.
The National Archives highlights the Preamble’s wording and explains that the Constitution placed the power of the union in the people, not only in the states. - Only 39 delegates signed the Constitution.
The National Constitution Center notes that 55 delegates attended the Constitutional Convention, but only 39 signed the final document. Three delegates dissented and refused to sign:- George Mason of Virginia
- Edmund Randolph of Virginia
- Elbridge Gerry of Massachusetts
- They objected mainly because the original Constitution did not include a bill of rights, and they were also concerned about giving the new federal government too much power.
- The Constitution was written in Philadelphia’s Pennsylvania State House, now known as Independence Hall.
The Declaration of Independence was also signed in that building, making it one of the country’s most important civic sites, according to the National Constitution Center. - The Constitution was prepared in secrecy.
Delegates met behind closed doors guarded by sentries so they could debate freely. Important contributors to the drafting and final wording included James Madison, Gouverneur Morris, James Wilson, the Committee of Detail, and the Committee of Style, according to the National Constitution Center.- The Committee of Detail included John Rutledge of South Carolina, Edmund Randolph of Virginia, Nathaniel Gorham of Massachusetts, Oliver Ellsworth of Connecticut, and James Wilson of Pennsylvania. Their job was to turn the Convention’s agreed ideas into a working draft. [loc.gov], [teachingamericanhistory.org]
- The Committee of Style and Arrangement included William Samuel Johnson of Connecticut, Alexander Hamilton of New York, Gouverneur Morris of Pennsylvania, James Madison of Virginia, and Rufus King of Massachusetts. This committee cleaned up and arranged the near-final text. Gouverneur Morris is often credited with shaping the Preamble’s “We the People” wording.
- The Constitution did not take effect as soon as it was signed.
It first had to be ratified by nine of the thirteen states. The Congressional Research Service explains that the Constitution was formally adopted after New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify it on June 21, 1788. Rhode Island was the last of the original thirteen states to ratify it, on May 29, 1790. Rhode Island did not send delegates to the Constitutional Convention. This helps students understand that the Constitution was not instantly or universally accepted. The Library of Congress notes that 55 men from 12 states gathered and that Rhode Island refused to participate. - The Bill of Rights was not part of the original Constitution.
The first ten amendments were added in 1791 after many Americans argued that the Constitution needed clearer protections for individual rights, according to the National Archives and the National Constitution Center. - Congress first proposed 12 amendments that became the Bill of Rights, but only 10 were ratified immediately.
The National Archives states that 10 of the 12 proposed amendments were ratified on December 15, 1791. - One of the original 12 proposed amendments became the 27th Amendment more than 200 years later.
The National Archives Museum virtual exhibit explains that the congressional pay amendment proposed in 1789 was finally ratified in 1992 as the 27th Amendment. “Any law changing the pay of members of Congress cannot take effect until after the next election for the House of Representatives.” - Benjamin Franklin was the oldest delegate at the Constitutional Convention, and Jonathan Dayton was the youngest.
The National Constitution Center reports that Franklin was 81 and Dayton was 26. - Thomas Jefferson and John Adams did not sign the Constitution because they were serving abroad.
This is a useful “surprising fact” for students who assume every major Founder was present. The National Constitution Center explains that Thomas Jefferson was in France and John Adams was in Great Britain. - More than 11,000 constitutional amendments have been introduced in Congress, but only 27 have been ratified.
This helps students see that the Constitution can be changed, but that change is intentionally difficult, according to the National Constitution Center. - The “six big ideas” of the Constitution.
Limited government, republicanism, checks and balances, federalism, separation of powers, and popular sovereignty.
A declaration is a formal statement of principles, beliefs, rights, or intentions. In American history, a declaration often explains why people are taking an important action, such as declaring independence or stating shared values.
A constitution is the basic plan for a government. It explains how the government is set up, what powers it has, how leaders are chosen, and how laws are made.
A bill of rights is a list of rights and freedoms the government must protect. It helps limit what the government can do to individuals.
Summary: A declaration states the reasons or principles behind an important action, such as declaring independence; a constitution establishes the government; and a bill of rights lists protections that the government must respect. Students need all three ideas together, so the documents make sense in context.