2025 Constitution Day

September 13, 1787: Convention delegates realize they need an addition to the Constitutional draft. They debate over the inclusion of a Bill of Rights. But all delegates reject a motion to include a Bill of Rights. Most, after four arduous months, cannot bear the thought of remaining any longer than necessary. They acknowledge the hypocrisy of a Bill of Rights that does not include slaves.

September 14, 1787: Constitutional delegates understand the importance of their work in laying down the foundation of a new nation. Each colony originally wrote its own constitution. Convention delegates draw on those state documents for ideas and language.

September 15, 1787: Three delegates refuse to sign the final Constitutional document. Delegates who refuse to sign the final constitutional document provide reasons for their decisions.

September 17, 1787: Up until the last minute of the last day, the 38 delegates who signed the Constitution try to change the minds of the 3 who refuse to sign. Alexander Hamilton is particularly eloquent. Ben Franklin aims his comments directly at one of the hold-out delegates, imploring him to lay aside objections. The absence of signatures from three powerful men could cause "mischief" in the future.