Signing of the U.S. Constitution - Sept 17, 1787

Today, September 17th, 2008, is the 221st anniversary of the signing of the United States Constitution.

All 12 state delegations (Rhode Island was not represented) approved the Constitution. Thirty-nine (39) of the forty-two (42) delegates signed it at the Pennsylvania State House (now called Independence Hall) in Philadelphia. Following the signing the Constitutional Convention formally adjourned.

On June 21, 1788, (fully nine months later) the Constitution became effective for the ratifying states when New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify it.

The complete text of the United States Constitution - including background information on the different Articles and Sections - can be found at USConstitution.net.