What Happened on September 17, 1787? The Signing of the U.S. Constitution

 

On September 17, 1787, a group of delegates gathered in Philadelphia to sign a document that would become one of the most important documents in American history—the U.S. Constitution.

But the signing did not happen suddenly. It was the result of months of debate, disagreement, compromise, and careful negotiation. To understand what happened on that historic September day, it helps to look at the events that came before it.

A New Nation Facing Difficult Questions

After the American Revolution, the newly independent United States faced a difficult challenge: how should the new nation be governed?

The country was operating under the Articles of Confederation, the first national framework of government. It gave considerable power to the individual states, while the national government had limited authority.

By the 1780s, many political leaders believed that the system was not working well enough to deal with the nation's growing problems. Questions about taxation, trade, national finances, and the relationship between the states created pressure for change.

The idea of meeting to address these problems gradually gained support.

Philadelphia, May 1787

The Federal Convention was scheduled to convene in Philadelphia on May 14, 1787. However, only a few state delegations were present at first, so the delegates adjourned from day to day. A quorum of seven states was finally reached on May 25, when the Convention began its work in earnest at the Pennsylvania State House, now known as Independence Hall.

Months of Debate and Compromise

Throughout the summer, the delegates debated some of the most difficult political questions facing the new country.

One major disagreement concerned representation in Congress. Larger states generally wanted representation based on population, while smaller states feared that this would leave them with little influence.

The disagreement eventually contributed to the Connecticut Compromise, which created a Congress with two chambers: the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Other issues—including executive power, taxation, trade, and the relationship between state and federal authority—also required lengthy discussions and compromises.

The Constitution that eventually emerged was therefore not the product of a single idea or a single person. It reflected months of negotiation among delegates with different interests and viewpoints.

The Final Days

By September, the Convention was approaching its end.

On September 8, the delegates appointed a Committee of Style and Arrangement to revise and arrange the Constitution. On September 12, the committee presented a near-final draft to the Convention. The delegates then continued reviewing and making changes to the document.

On September 15, the delegates approved the final text. The document was then prepared for signing.

After months of difficult discussions, the Convention was finally reaching its decisive moment.

September 17, 1787: The Signing

On Monday, September 17, 1787, the delegates met for the final session of the Constitutional Convention.

The completed Constitution was presented for signing.

Thirty-eight delegates present at the Convention signed the Constitution. George Read of Delaware also signed on behalf of John Dickinson, who was absent but had requested that his name be added. This brought the total number of signatures to 39. George Washington signed first.

Not Everyone Signed

Not every delegate agreed with the final document.

George Mason, Edmund Randolph, and Elbridge Gerry refused to sign the Constitution. One of their major objections was that the Constitution did not include a bill of rights.

What Happened After the Signing?

The work was not finished on September 17.

The Constitution still had to be ratified by the states before it could take effect.

The document was sent to the states, where conventions debated whether to approve it. Supporters and opponents argued publicly over the proposed new system of government.

Eventually, the required number of states ratified the Constitution, and the new government began operating in 1789.

Why September 17, 1787 Still Matters

September 17 was not simply the day a document was signed.

It represented the culmination of months of debate over how a new nation should organize its government.

The delegates did not agree on everything. They negotiated, compromised, and sometimes strongly disagreed. Yet they ultimately produced a framework that became the foundation of the federal government of the United States.

That is what makes September 17, 1787 such a significant date in American history: it was the day the Constitutional Convention formally completed its work and sent the proposed Constitution forward to the states.

Key Facts at a Glance

• Date: September 17, 1787
• Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Event: Signing of the U.S. Constitution
• Convention began: May 25, 1787
• Delegates who signed: 39
• Delegates who did not sign: George Mason, Edmund Randolph, and Elbridge Gerry
• Next major step: Ratification by the states
• New federal government began: 1789

Conclusion

The signing of the U.S. Constitution on September 17, 1787 was the result of a long and difficult process.

Months earlier, delegates had arrived in Philadelphia with different ideas about how the new nation should be governed. Through debate and compromise, they produced a new framework for government.

On September 17, they signed it.

The story of that day is therefore not only about a document. It is also about the difficult process of bringing competing ideas together to create a system of government for a new nation.

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Watch our “This Week in History” Short featuring September 17, 1787 and other important historical dates.