Ratification Campaigns and State Conventions for the Constitution (1787–1790)

1. Constitution signed at Philadelphia convention

   Sep 17, 1787Labels: Philadelphia Convention

   • Natl Archives
   • Britannica

2. Confederation Congress forwards Constitution to the states

   Sep 28, 1787Labels: Confederation Congress

   • CSAC UW
   • Natl Archives

3. Federalist essays begin publication in New York

   Oct 27, 1787Labels: The Federalist

   • LOC Guide
   • Federalist No 1

4. Delaware ratifies Constitution unanimously

   Dec 7, 1787Labels: Delaware Convention

   • History com
   • CSAC UW

5. Pennsylvania ratifies after contentious convention

   Dec 12, 1787Labels: Pennsylvania Convention

   • LOC
   • CSAC UW

6. New Jersey ratifies unanimously

   Dec 18, 1787Labels: New Jersey

   • NJ Archives
   • Senate NJ

7. Georgia ratifies unanimously

   Jan 2, 1788Labels: Georgia Convention

   • CSAC UW
   • History com

8. Connecticut ratifies Constitution

   Jan 9, 1788Labels: Connecticut Convention

   • CSAC UW
   • StamfordAdv

9. Massachusetts ratifies with recommended amendments

   Feb 6, 1788Labels: Massachusetts Convention

   • Mass gov
   • CSAC UW

10. Maryland ratifies Constitution

    Apr 28, 1788Labels: Maryland Convention

    • CSAC UW
    • History com

11. South Carolina ratifies Constitution

    May 23, 1788Labels: South Carolina

    • CSAC UW
    • History com

12. New Hampshire becomes ninth state to ratify

    Jun 21, 1788Labels: New Hampshire

    • Senate NH
    • CSAC UW

13. Virginia ratifies after major statewide debate

    Jun 25, 1788Labels: Virginia Convention

    • CSAC UW
    • Article VII

14. New York ratifies after extended convention fight

    Jul 26, 1788Labels: New York

    • CSAC UW
    • Article VII

15. North Carolina Hillsborough Convention declines to ratify

    Aug 4, 1788Labels: Hillsborough Convention

    • NC DNCR
    • CSAC UW

16. New federal government begins under Constitution

    Mar 4, 1789Labels: First Congress

    • Senate NH
    • History com

17. Congress proposes twelve amendments (Bill of Rights package)

    Sep 25, 1789Labels: First Congress

    • Mass gov
    • History com

18. North Carolina ratifies at Fayetteville Convention

    Nov 21, 1789Labels: Fayetteville Convention

    • CSAC UW
    • History com

19. Rhode Island ratifies as final holdout state

    May 29, 1790Labels: Rhode Island

    • Brown
    • CSAC UW