@PredVol
On this day in 1788, the United States Constitution becomes the law of the land!
Article VII of the Constitution provides that the document goes into effect with the “Ratification of the Conventions of nine States.” At the end of May 1788, eight states had ratified the document: Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, and South Carolina.
On June 21, three states were in the midst of their ratification conventions: New Hampshire, New York, and Virginia. Given the difficulties of communication and travel during that time, Americans were not entirely sure, at first, which state had provided the necessary 9th vote to ratify the Constitution.
Hint: It was New Hampshire, although Virginia at first thought that IT was the 9th state!
George Washington’s secretary wrote him on June 22: “The Constitution was ratified on Saturday [the 21st] at 1 P.M. [by New Hampshire]. I am thus particular as Virginia might have adopted it on the same day, & in that Case the hour must be known to determine which was the ninth State.”
Once the dust settled, everyone realized that Virginia was not even close to claiming the honor of being the deciding vote. Instead, Virginia was several days late in claiming this honor. That state ratified the Constitution on June 25.
The attached snapshot includes a constitutional provision that is too often forgotten today. Here’s hoping that it is remembered again. And soon.
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If you enjoy these history posts, please know that it is important to LIKE, SHARE & COMMENT. Unfortunately, this site’s algorithm will eventually weed these posts out of your newsfeed if you do not interact with them. (I don’t make the rules! Just following them.)
Gentle reminder: History posts are copyright © 2013-2016 by Tara Ross. I appreciate it when you use the Facebook “share” feature instead of cutting/pasting.
#TDIH #OTD #AmericanHistory #USHistory #liberty #freedom #ShareTheHistory
On this day in 1788, the United States Constitution becomes the law of the land!
Article VII of the Constitution provides that the document goes into effect with the “Ratification of the Conventions of nine States.” At the end of May 1788, eight states had ratified the document: Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, and South Carolina.
On June 21, three states were in the midst of their ratification conventions: New Hampshire, New York, and Virginia. Given the difficulties of communication and travel during that time, Americans were not entirely sure, at first, which state had provided the necessary 9th vote to ratify the Constitution.
Hint: It was New Hampshire, although Virginia at first thought that IT was the 9th state!
George Washington’s secretary wrote him on June 22: “The Constitution was ratified on Saturday [the 21st] at 1 P.M. [by New Hampshire]. I am thus particular as Virginia might have adopted it on the same day, & in that Case the hour must be known to determine which was the ninth State.”
Once the dust settled, everyone realized that Virginia was not even close to claiming the honor of being the deciding vote. Instead, Virginia was several days late in claiming this honor. That state ratified the Constitution on June 25.
The attached snapshot includes a constitutional provision that is too often forgotten today. Here’s hoping that it is remembered again. And soon.
-------------
If you enjoy these history posts, please know that it is important to LIKE, SHARE & COMMENT. Unfortunately, this site’s algorithm will eventually weed these posts out of your newsfeed if you do not interact with them. (I don’t make the rules! Just following them.)
Gentle reminder: History posts are copyright © 2013-2016 by Tara Ross. I appreciate it when you use the Facebook “share” feature instead of cutting/pasting.
#TDIH #OTD #AmericanHistory #USHistory #liberty #freedom #ShareTheHistory
