United States Constitution Timeline of Events

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United States Constitution

The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the United States of America. It is the framework for the organization of the United States government and for the relationship of the federal government with the states, citizens, and all people within the United States.The first three Articles of the Constitution establish the three branches of the national government: a...

Timeline of Events

1787

5.25.1787

In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, delegates convene a Constitutional Convention to write a new Constitution for the United States; George Washington presides.

8.6.1787

Sixty proof sheets of the Constitution of the United States are delivered to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia.

9.17.1787

The United States Constitution is signed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

9.28.1787

The newly completed United States Constitution is voted on by the U.S. Congress to be sent to the state legislatures for approval.

12.7.1787

Delaware becomes the first state to ratify the United States Constitution.

12.12.1787

Pennsylvania becomes the second state to ratify the United States Constitution five days after Delaware became the first.

12.18.1787

New Jersey becomes the third state to ratify the U.S. Constitution.

1788

1.2.1788

Georgia becomes the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution

2.6.1788

Massachusetts becomes the sixth state to ratify the United States Constitution.

6.25.1788

Virginia becomes the 10th state to ratify the United States Constitution.

7.26.1788

New York ratifies the United States Constitution and becomes the 11th state of the United States.

1789

3.4.1789

In New York City, the first Congress of the United States meets, putting the United States Constitution into effect.

9.25.1789

The U.S. Congress passes twelve amendments to the United States Constitution: the Congressional Apportionment Amendment (which was never ratified), the Congressional Compensation Amendment, and the ten that are known as the Bill of Rights.

11.21.1789

North Carolina ratifies the United States Constitution and is admitted as the 12th U.S. state.

1790

5.29.1790

Rhode Island becomes the last of the original United States' colonies to ratify the Constitution and is admitted as the 13th U.S. state.

1795

2.7.1795

The 11th Amendment to the United States Constitution is ratified.

1803

2.14.1803

Chief Justice John Marshall declares that any act of U.S. Congress that conflicts with the Constitution is void.

1909

3.4.1909

U.S. President William Taft used what became known as a '''Saxbe fix''', a mechanism to avoid the restriction of the U.S. Constitution's Ineligibility Clause, to appoint Philander C. Knox as U.S. Secretary of State

1920

8.26.1920

The 19th amendment to United States Constitution takes effect, giving women the right to vote.

1964

1.23.1964

The 24th Amendment to the United States Constitution, prohibiting the use of poll taxes in national elections, is ratified.

1992

5.7.1992

Michigan ratifies a 203-year-old proposed amendment to the United States Constitution making the 27th Amendment law. This amendment bars the U.S. Congress from giving itself a mid-term pay raise.

1998

6.25.1998

In ''Clinton v. City of New York'', the United States Supreme Court decides that the Line Item Veto Act of 1996 is unconstitutional.