U.S. Constitution Timeline

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1781

Government established as "league of friendship" for the 13 sovereign and independent states after the Revolution under the Articles of Confederation.

1782

The British government officially but informally recognizes American independence when the authorization papers of its peace negotiator are reworded to state that he was negotiating with "13 United States" rather than "colonies."

September 3, 1783

The Treaty of Paris officially ends the American Revolutionary War.

April 23, 1784

Congress passes legislation to assure that territorial governments created in public domain areas would lead to their becoming full-fledged states, not colonies.

May 20 1785

Congress, not having the power to raise revenue by direct taxation, passes the Land Ordinance of 1785 to facilitate the sale of land west of the original 13 colonies.

1786

Inflation ran rampant, taking its toll on many small farmers, prompting protest in the form of Shays’ Rebellion led by Daniel Shays, former Continental army captain.

September 1786

James Madison and John Tyler propose to the Virginia assembly that the Continental Congress be given power to regulate commerce Confederation-wide.

May 14, 1787

Federal Constitutional Convention convened at Independence Hall, Philadelphia, Pa., to revise Articles of Confederation.

May 25, 1787

Quorum assembled with 55 of the 74 appointed delegates in attendance; Gen. George Washington unanimously elected president of the Convention.

May 29, 1787

Edmund Randolph, governor of Virginia, opened debate by proposing a highly centralized government with three branches: legislative, executive and judicial.

May 30, 1787

Gouverneur Morris sums up the critical issue: a continued confederation vs. the supremacy of a national government, espousing the "nationalist" position.

June 13, 1787

Smaller-state delegates rally around proposals by William Paterson of New Jersey to revise the Articles so Congress can raise revenues and regulate commerce.

June 18, 1987

Alexander Hamilton presents monarchy as the ideal plan for government; debate between the large and small states becomes increasingly acrimonious.

June 29, 1787

Resolution establishing population as basis for representation in the House is approved; the vote is tied on all states having equal representation in the Senate.

July 10, 1787

Deadlock over representation in the Senate drags on with Luther Martin of Maryland declaring equality of representation secured under the Articles.

July 12, 1787

How slaves are to be counted for purpose of taxation and representation adds North-South divisiveness to the debate; Oliver Ellsworth proposes compromise.

July 14, 1787

Members decide to appoint a Committee of Detail and vote themselves a 10-day recess while the draft is being drawn up by the Committee.

August 6, 1787

First draft of the Constitution is presented in the same article-by-article form that the final document would have five weeks later.

August 21, 1787

Debate over regulation of commerce brings slavery into debate amid southern-state fears of domination by New England states. Southerners accept a clause requiring only a simple majority vote on navigation laws in exchange for the New Englanders' support for continuing slave importation for 20 years.

August 31, 1787

George Mason of Virginia calls for a new convention, worried that a "bill of rights" ensuring individual liberties was not incorporated; he is voted down.

September, 1787

In the early days of September, the matter of electing the executive was resolved, establishing the electoral college.

September 8, 1787

The Constitution is turned over to a Committee of Style and Arrangement with Gouverneur Morris the chief architect.

September 12, 1787

Delegates begin methodical consideration, article by article, of the new draft.

September 15, 1787

Late in the afternoon the roll of states was called on the Constitution and from every delegation, the word was "Aye."

September 17, 1787

With the exception of Virginians Edmund Randolph, George Mason and Elbridge Gerry who staged a last minute appeal for amendment, the delegates formally sign the Constitution and the convention is adjourned at 4 o’clock in the afternoon.

September 25, 1789

The first Congress of the United States proposes 12 amendments to the Constitution to the state legislatures, 10 of which are ratified; these become the Bill of Rights.

September 17, 1787

With the exception of Virginians Edmund Randolph, George Mason and Elbridge Gerry who staged a last minute appeal for amendment, the delegates formally sign the Constitution and the convention is adjourned at 4 o’clock in the afternoon.

September 25, 1789

The first Congress of the United States proposes 12 amendments to the Constitution to the state legislatures, 10 of which are ratified; these become the Bill of Rights.