On this day in 1787, New Jersey’s state ratification convention begins. It would quickly approve the then-new U.S. Constitution, making New Jersey the third state to join the union.   New Jersey’s quick action is interesting, if only because the state’s delegates to the Constitutional Convention had expressed doubt about the earliest draft of the Constitution.   They definitely were not on board with that  idea! When the Constitutional Convention opened in the summer of 1787,

On this day in 1787, “Publius” publishes an essay defending the Constitution in several New York newspapers. Publius?! Publius who? Most modern Americans have never heard of him. How unfortunate. The collection of works written by Publius was critical to the establishment of our Constitution. We’ve been living with our Constitution for so long that it can be easy to forget what things were like before. Perhaps you know that the Constitution was drafted in Philadelphia during

On this day in 1787, delegates to the Constitutional Convention sign the Constitution. Perhaps you’ve heard what Benjamin Franklin did...

On this day in 1913, the 17th Amendment is ratified. For the first time in American history, voters would be able to directly elect their...

On this day in 1752, Gouverneur Morris, author of the Constitution’s Preamble, is born in New York. Morris was well-educated, witty,...

On this day in 1933, the 20th Amendment to the United States Constitution is ratified, changing the dates on which a new Congress and...

On this day in 1787, Delaware begins ratification debates on the United States Constitution. Mere days later, it would ratify that...

On this day in 1787, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania begins ratification debates on the United States Constitution . You might imagine a...

On this day in 1793, Roger Sherman passes away. He is best known as the only person to sign all four Revolutionary-era state documents:...

On this day in 1938, Franklin D. Roosevelt signs a law setting a federal minimum wage. The bill was the culmination of months of work:...

On this day in 1961, the Twenty-third Amendment is ratified, giving Washington, D.C. votes in the Electoral College. A few years later,...

On this day in 1787, the “Father of the Constitution” writes Thomas Jefferson. The Constitution had been sent to the states for approval...

On this day in 1798, John Adams writes a letter to officers in the Massachusetts militia. Adams thought America then free of certain...

On this day in 1782, the Continental Congress recommends a Bible to the residents of the United States. This particular translation was...

On this day in 1779, General George Washington writes a letter. He was worried about a double agent, then working for the Continental...

On this day in 1787, the Constitutional Convention is scheduled to begin—but nothing happened! The Convention couldn’t get started,...

On this day in 1792, George Washington issues his first presidential veto. The subject of vetoes had long been a touchy topic in the...

On this day in 1790, future President John Tyler is born. You probably don’t know too much about Tyler. His presidency was fairly...

On this day in 1933, FDR signs the Cullen-Harrison Act. Americans would finally be allowed to drink beer again! Well, sort of....

On this day in 1734, Thomas McKean is born. He was President of the United States before George Washington was! Well, sort of. McKean was...