When was the Constitution written?

Why This Matters

This question asks when the Constitution was written. The answer is 1787. This is a date you need to memorize for the USCIS civics test, and it is one of the most commonly tested facts.

The Constitution was written during the summer of 1787 at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Fifty-five delegates from twelve states attended the Convention. Rhode Island was the only state that did not send delegates because it feared a strong national government. The delegates spent nearly four months, from May to September, debating and crafting the document. They had to make many compromises to get all the states to agree.

It is important to understand the timeline. The Declaration of Independence was adopted in 1776, declaring the colonies free from Britain. After winning the Revolutionary War, the new country first used the Articles of Confederation to govern itself, but this system was too weak. So in 1787, the Founding Fathers wrote the Constitution to create a stronger federal government. The Constitution was then sent to the states for approval, and it officially went into effect in 1788 after nine states ratified it. Knowing the year 1787 helps you keep these events in order and shows the USCIS interviewer that you understand the timeline of American history.

Key Facts

• The Constitution was written in 1787 at the Constitutional Convention
• The Convention took place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Fifty-five delegates from twelve states participated
• The Constitution replaced the Articles of Confederation
• It was ratified (approved) by the states and went into effect in 1788

Common Mistakes

• Saying "1776", that is when the Declaration of Independence was adopted, not the Constitution
• Saying "1789", that is when George Washington became the first President, not when the Constitution was written
• Confusing "written" with "ratified", it was written in 1787 but ratified in 1788

Study Tip

Remember two key dates as a pair: 1776 and 1787. In 1776, America declared independence. Eleven years later, in 1787, America wrote its Constitution. Think of it as: "free in '76, rules in '87." This rhyme can help you keep the two dates straight.