Today is Constitution Day! The greatest governing document in history was signed on Sept. 17, 1787.
- It is the oldest and shortest (4,400 words) constitution in the world.
- 70 delegates were selected by the states. 55 attended the convention. 42 attended the last session. 39 signed it. 8 were also signers of the Declaration of Independence. 34 were lawyers. About ½ were Revolutionary War veterans.
- Rhode Island was the only state not represented. It was also the last state to ratify.
- The delegates worked from 10-3 six days a week with a ten-day break. It was a sweaty effort as the windows of the room were closed to prevent eavesdropping. It was summer in Philadelphia and the delegates were wearing thick woolen clothing. It must have really smelled in that room!
- Three delegates refused to sign it. They were Edmund Randolph and George Mason from Virginia and Elbridge Gerry. All opposed a strong central government. Gerry (who gerrymanding is named after) was opposed to having a vice president. He became Jefferson’s vice president.
- Some prominent figures from the Revolution did not attend. Jefferson was Ambassador to France. John Adams was Ambassador to England. Patrick Henry “smelt a rat”. John Hancock was suffering from gout. Samuel Adams was opposed to a stronger national government.
- George Washington and James Madison are the only presidents to sign it.
- James Madison (the Father of the Constitution) was the only delegate to attend all the meetings. He kept copious notes.
- Roger Sherman saved the Constitution. His Great Compromise, which based the House of Representatives on population and set the Senate at 2 Senators for each state, barely passed 5-4.
- The Constitution was penned by a clerk named Jacob Shallus. He was paid $30 (about $900 today). Gouverneur Morris is credited with the wording.
- Ben Franklin was the oldest delegate at 81. He was suffering from gout and a gall stone. He was carried to Independence Hall in a sedan chair. He had to be helped to sign the document. When he left the building, he encountered the mayor’s wife. She asked him what kind of government they had created. “A republic, madam. If we can keep it.”
- The words “slavery” and “democracy” do not appear in the document.
- When Washington proclaimed the first Thanksgiving (November 26, 1789), he was referring to thanking God for the Constitution.
- Since 1952, the four-page document has been stored in the National Archives. It is in a glass case framed by titanium. Argon gas preserves it in a controlled 67 degrees.
https://www.constitutionfacts.com/us-constitution-amendments/fascinating-facts
https://constitutionus.com/constitution/interesting-facts-about-the-constitution/
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/553604/facts-about-us-constitution
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