Constitution

May 1787 – September 17, 1787

• This day marks the

226th anniversary

of the signing of

the Constitution

• State House in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

55 representatives or delegates were present

Do you know where the signing took place?

Do you know how many representatives were there?

State House ~ Independence Hall

Current Independence Hall

May 14, 1787 – May 25, 1787

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Do you know which state of the original 13 chose not to show up to

help write the Constitution?

•Rhode Island

The oldest person to help write the constitution was 81. Who do you

think it was?

•Benjamin FranklinHow many delegates

showed up to work on

the Constitution?55

Ben Franklin was in such bad health and constant pain that it has been reported that he could barely walk. He entered Independence Hall every day on a sedan chair that was carried by four prisoners from the Walnut Street jail.

He also had someone help hold his hand steady while signing his name to the Constitution.

He was very emotional while signing.

What does “ratify” mean?

•To apporoveHow many states had to ratify the

Constitution?

9

Did you know that Pennsylvania is spelled wrong on the Constitution?

•Pensylvania

How many states did it take to ratify the Constitution?

•9 How many delegates were there?

55

What does Preamble mean?

Do you see the Preamble in the classroom?

Which state did not send delegates to help with the Constitution?

Rhode Island

Who was the oldest delegate?

Page 1 of the working draft of the U.S. Constitution, printed in August 1787. This copybelonged to Pierce Butler, a delegate from South Carolina.

Page 1 of the final version of the U.S. Constitution, printed on September 17, 1787.This copy is signed by Benjamin Franklin.

Who is known as the Father of the Constitution?

• James Madison of Virginia ~ He was the only delegate to attend every meeting every day. He kept very detailed notes and was the author of the Constitution.

4th President of the United States from

1809-1817

Guess at how many words the Constitution has in it…

•4543Do you know how many delegates actually signed the Constitution?

39

Which state did not send anyone?

• Rhode Island

Did you know they finally voted on May 24, 1788 to see how their

people felt about the Constitution and the vote was 237 in favor and

2,945 against it?

Who is known as the Father of the Constitution?

•James Madison

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Get out a sheet of paper for a pop quiz…