Constitutional Convention

In May of 1787, the Continental Congress held a meeting with delegates from each of the states. This meeting became known as the Constitutional Convention. Delegates came to this meeting in Philadelphia from every state except Rhode Island. There were many people there who are remembered today because they played such a big part in early American history. Benjamin Franklin, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton were there. So was George Washington, the general who made such an important contribution during the Revolutionary War.

The delegates at the Constitutional Convention chose George Washington to be the president of the convention. They worked hard all summer--writing, arguing, rewriting, compromising, and doing more rewriting. The Constitution of the United States of America was ready in September for the states to decide whether they would accept it. It took a lot more discussion, but the Constitution was approved in 1788.