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Constitutional Convention begins

May 25

|Recurring Event (See all)

An event every year that begins at 12:00 am on day 25 of May, repeating indefinitely

Signing of the ConstitutionOn May 25, 1787, the Constitutional Convention began in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Delegates from nearly every state, including George Washington, James Madison, and Benjamin Franklin, met to discuss the future of the United States and a revision of the Articles of Confederation. Over the next few months, the delegates would develop and vote on the U.S. Constitution.

Did you know? The Convention was marked by an air of secrecy. Despite the hot and humid Philadelphia summer, windows were kept tightly closed and guards stationed outside of the statehouse.

James Madison even refrained from telling Thomas Jefferson (not in attendance) of the proceedings, noting that “It was thought expedient in order to secure unbiassed discussion within doors, and to prevent misconceptions & misconstructions without, to establish some rules of caution which will for no short time restrain even a confidential communication of our proceedings.”

Scene at the Signing of the Constitution of the United States, Howard Chandler Christy, 1940

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Date:
May 25
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