About America's First Constitution
This document established the framework for the young nation’s government
A constitution is a fundamental set of principles or established precedents that serves as the supreme law of a nation or state, outlining the structure, powers, and functions of its government, as well as the rights and duties of its citizens.
On July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress signed and adopted the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia and proclaimed to King George III of England that the thirteen States of America were united as an independent sovereign nation.
On November 15, 1777, the Second Continental Congress met at the Courthouse in the square of York, PA and adopted the Articles of Confederation, our nation’s first constitution, which for the first time referred to the “United States of America.”
The U.S. National Park Service recognizes York's Articles of Confederation as the country’s first constitution. York County describes it as our nation’s first constitution. The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission acknowledges it as our nation's first constitution. The National Archives defines it as the first constitution of the United States.
After 16 months of debate, the Continental Congress, sitting in its temporary capital of York, Pennsylvania, agrees to adopt the Articles Of Confederation and Perpetual Union on November 15, 1777. Not until March 1, 1781 would the last of the 13 states, Maryland, ratify the agreement.
This "first constitution of the United States" established a "league of friendship" for the 13 sovereign and independent states. Each state retains its sovereignty, freedom and independence, and every Power, Jurisdiction and right, which is not by this confederation expressly delegated to the United States, in Congress assembled.
The Articles of Confederation also outlined a Congress with representation not based on population – each state would have one vote in Congress. During its time as the capital, York witnessed several pivotal moments in American history.
The Articles of Confederation, the first constitution of the United States, was one of those pivotal moments. The document established the framework for the young nation’s government and laid the groundwork for the future Constitution.
In May of 1787, the Constitutional Convention assembled in Philadelphia to revise the Articles of Confederation. They shuttered the windows of the State House (Independence Hall) and swore secrecy so they could speak freely.
By mid-June the delegates had decided to completely redesign the government. After three hot, summer months of highly charged debate, the new Constitution was signed, which remains in effect today.
The Constitution was completed on September 17, 1787, and ratified on June 21, 1788, replacing the Articles. The Articles’ weaknesses informed the Constitution’s design, emphasizing a stronger federal government with checks and balances.
Note: Hartford, Connecticut, is associated with the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut (1639), often called the first written constitution in the American colonies, but this was a colonial document, not a national constitution. The Articles of Confederation were the first constitution for the United States as a whole.
The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut (1639) remained the basis of Connecticut’s government until 1662, when it was superseded by a royal charter that incorporated its principles.
In essence, the Articles of Confederation was a pioneering national framework that struggled with unity, while the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut was a successful local experiment in self-governance, laying early groundwork for American constitutionalism.