2. Adoption of the Constitution (1787–1788)

In the summer of 1787, delegates convened in Philadelphia to draft a new framework of government, replacing the ineffective Articles of Confederation. The resulting U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1788, created a federal system with separated powers, checks and balances, and a strong central authority while preserving state rights.

This enduring document has guided American governance for over two centuries, enabling the nation to adapt through amendments like the Bill of Rights. It transformed a loose confederation into a unified republic, setting precedents for democratic institutions worldwide and remaining the world’s oldest written national constitution still in use.