Celebrate Constitution Day!
Background
Since May of 1787, delegates had gathered in the State House (Independence
Hall) of Philadelphia, PA, to revise the Articles of Confederation, the first governing documents
of the United States of America as adopted by the Continental Congress in
1777.
After several months of debate and redrafting, delegates voted to
design an entirely new framework for the government, the Constitution.
After the Constitution was signed by members of the Continental Congress in
September 1787, fierce debates ensued at the state level over issues such as
the power of central government and states, and the process of electing
representatives.
The Constitution was eventually ratified and took effect on
June 21, 1788.
Constitution Documents
View images and the text of the Constitution and related documents from the
National Archives:
- Constitution of the United States
- High-Resolution Images of the Constitution
- Transcript of the Constitution
- The Bill of Rights: Amendments 1-10
- Constitutional Amendments 11-27
The Constitution Today
Today the constitution is housed at the National Archives and Records
Administration on Constitution Ave NW [between 7th and 9th St.] in
Washington, DC. You can visit the National Archives website for more
information, hours, and directions.
Historical Timeline of the United States Constitution
- March 25-28, 1785 - The Mount Vernon Conference: Representatives
of Maryland and Virginia meet at George Washington's plantation to resolve
conflicts over the navigation of the Potomac and Pocomoke Rivers. - September 11-14, 1786 - The Annapolis Convention: New York, New
Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Virginia meet to discuss uniform trade
regulations, but agree to appeal to all states to meet again to discuss
broader reforms. - February 21, 1787 - Congress approves convention to amend the
Articles of the Confederation. - May 25, 1787 - First Meeting of the Constitutional Convention in
Philadelphia. - May 29, 1787 - Edmund Randolph proposes the Virginia Plan.
- July 26, 1787 - Constitution submitted to a Committee of Detail, who
were appointed to prepare the first formal draft of the constitution. - August 6, 1787 - First Draft of Constitution Presented to Convention
- September 17, 1787 - All delegates, except Randolph, Mason, and
Gerry, sign the Constitution.
Constitution Trivia and Information
More information from the National Archives:
- Questions & Answers Pertaining to the Constitution
- A More Perfect Union: The Creation of the U.S. Constitution
- The Signers of the Constitution
- The Constitution Game
Related Web Sites
- Financial Aid Home
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- Forms and Documents
- Scholarships
- College Costs at SUNY Orange
- Helpful Links
- College and Other Community Financial Aid Programs
- Constitution Day
- Certificate Program Information >
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Telephone:
845-341-4190
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Wed: 8am-8pm
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SUNY Orange
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Newburgh NY 12550
Telephone:
845-341-9502
Fax:
845-220-4062