9781422275603

I t was warm and raining when the Constitutional Convention opened in Philadelphia on May 25, 1787—an omen of the hot and muggy sum- mer that lay ahead. Delegates to the convention arrived by horseback and in stagecoaches. They had chosen to meet in Philadelphia because of its central location. It was also the largest city in America at the time, with a population of 40,000. The First Continental Congress, in 1774, had also been held in Philadelphia. Historical figures whose names are all familiar today— including John Adams, Samuel Adams, Patrick Henry, and George Washington—met to restore rights and liberties that Great Britain had taken away. When Britain refused to meet the demands from that congress, the colonists called the Second Continental Congress in 1775. During that period, Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Indepen- dence, and a group of colonists created the Articles of Confederation, America’s first constitution. They also named George Washington the commander of the new Continental Army. How the U.S. Constitution Was Created Judiciary: The collective court system of a state or government. Militia: An armed force made up of citizens, usually called up for emergency defense. Unanimous: When a vote or decision is agreed upon by everyone involved. Words to Understand

Independence Hall in Philadelphia. Pennsylvania is the birthplace of the U.S. Constitution.

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THE CONSTITUTION

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