When was the U.S. Constitution written?

The U.S. Constitution was written in 1787 during the Constitutional Convention held in Philadelphia. This convention was convened to address the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, which had proven inadequate for governing the new nation. The framers, comprised of delegates from various states, aimed to create a stronger central government while still preserving the rights of the states and the individual liberties of the citizens.

The document was finalized on September 17, 1787, and subsequently sent to the states for ratification. It officially went into effect in 1789 after the necessary approvals were obtained from a majority of state legislatures. Understanding this timeline is crucial for grasping the foundational developments of U.S. governance and the emergence of federal authority. The other options represent different significant historical events, with 1776 marking the Declaration of Independence, 1785 possibly relating to state boundary negotiations, and 1791 signifying the adoption of the Bill of Rights, which comprised the first ten amendments to the Constitution.