REMEMBERING NON-REVISED HISTORY: SEPTEMBER 17, 2013

George Washington

First President of the United States (1789-1797)

Father of the United States of America,
President of the Constitutional Convention
General of the Revolutionary Army

On ‘The U.S. Constitution’

Biography

George Washington (February 22, 1732 – December 14, 1799) was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, serving as the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. He also presided over the convention that drafted the Constitution, which replaced the Articles of Confederation. The Constitution established the position of President of the United States, which Washington was the first to hold. » Full Bio

» See All 'Quotable Quotes'

---

This Day In History 226 Years Ago
American Revolution - September 17, 1787

U.S. Constitution Signed

Oldest Written Constitution In Operation In The World

The Constitution of the United States of America is signed by 38 of 41 delegates present at the conclusion of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. Supporters of the document waged a hard-won battle to win ratification by the necessary nine out of 13 U.S. states.

[...]

On September 25, 1789, the first Congress of the United States adopted 12 amendments to the U.S. Constitution--the Bill of Rights--and sent them to the states for ratification. Ten of these amendments were ratified in 1791. In November 1789, North Carolina became the 12th state to ratify the U.S. Constitution. Rhode Island, which opposed federal control of currency and was critical of compromise on the issue of slavery, resisted ratifying the Constitution until the U.S. government threatened to sever commercial relations with the state. On May 29, 1790, Rhode Island voted by two votes to ratify the document, and the last of the original 13 colonies joined the United States. Today, the U.S. Constitution is the oldest written constitution in operation in the world. » Full Article

Significant Events This Day In History

                      » History

» Ultimate History Quiz

“The Ultimate History Quiz features thousands of questions about American and global history trivia. Play now to challenge your friends, and see how you stack up to the competition.”