Ratification of the United States Constitution

The Philadelphia Convention

May 14, 1787

Under the Articles of Confederation 55 delegates met in the Pennsylvania State House to discuss difficulties with the Articles of Confederation

George Washington was elected President of the Convention

May 23, 1787

Constitution completed

Sep 17, 1787

The Constitution is complete, ready for the states to decide to ratify it.

Delaware becomes the First State

Dec 7, 1787

Pennsylvania ratifies the Constitution

Dec 12, 1787

New Jersey ratifies the Constitution

Dec 18, 1787

Georgia ratifies the Constitution

Jan 2, 1788

Connecticut ratifies the Constitution

Jan 9, 1788

Massachusetts ratifies the Constitution

Feb 6, 1788

Maryland ratifies the Constitution

Apr 28, 1788

South Carolina ratifies the Constitution

May 23, 1788

New Hampshire ratifies the Constitution

Jun 21, 1788

New Hampshire was the 9th out of the original 13 and with their ratification, the Constitution became the "Law of the Land".

Virginia ratifies the Constitution

Jun 25, 1788

New York ratifies the Constitution

Jul 26, 1788

North Carolina ratifies the Constitution

Nov 21, 1789

Rhode Island ratifies the Constitution

May 29, 1790

Bills of Rights added to the Constitution

Dec 12, 1791

http://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/billofrights