Birth of Our Nation
September 17, Constitution Day, is a good time to take a look back at birth of our United States of America.
The Constitution acted like a colossal merger, uniting a group of states with different interests, laws, and cultures. Under America’s first national government, the Articles of Confederation, the states acted together only for specific purposes. The Constitution united its citizens as members of a whole, vesting the power of the union in the people. Without it, the American Experiment might have ended as quickly as it had begun.
However, the signing of the Constitution did not immediately end the war. Just as the war did not begin with the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.
1775-1783
According to the Timeline of the War for Independence published by the National Park Service, the War for Independence actually spanned a seven year period; 1775-1783.
1775, February 9 – The British Parliament declares Massachusetts to be in rebellion.
1776, July 4 – The Second Continental Congress formally adopted the Declaration of Independence and the alarm for freedom was sounded at Independence Hall with the Liberty Bell.
1787, September 17 – Thirty-nine brave men signed the Constitution thus recognizing all who are born in the U.S. or by naturalization, have become citizens of the New Nation.
1783, January 20 – Preliminaries of Peace are signed in Paris.
Who Were the Signers?
Most people, even those who aren’t serious history buffs know that there were 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence. Most people also know that there were 39 men who signed the United States Constitution.
But, there aren’t a whole lot of people who realize that some of the more famous signers of the Declaration of Independence, such as Thomas Jefferson and John Adams never signed the Constitution. George Washington, who signed the Constitution didn’t sign the Declaration of Independence and the reason is that he was too busy leading troops into battle during the American Revolution.
Source: 981thehawk.com/The six men who signed both the declaration of independence and the constitution.
editor note:
As I wrote this article, I was reminded of a short 6 min podcast is listed to several years ago. It gave me an image of some of these men that remains with me. It is Episode #104, July 3, 2018, on Mike Rowe’s “The Way I Heard It” podcast.