2026 Constitution Week Spotlight

On this second day of Constitution Week, we focus on the Constitutional Convention.

The Constitutional Convention met in Philadelphia from May through September 1787. Delegates from twelve states participated; Rhode Island chose not to send delegates. George Washington presided over the convention, while James Madison kept extensive notes that became an important record of the proceedings. 

The delegates did not simply write down a plan everyone already agreed upon. They debated representation, executive power, taxation, commerce, the relationship between state and national governments and many other difficult questions. 

The final Constitution reflected both shared principles and hard-fought compromises. The convention’s work produced a document with seven articles. Its first three articles established the legislative, executive and judicial branches. The remaining articles addressed such matters as relations among the states, the amendment process, federal supremacy and ratification.

Today’s Quiz:

Who presided over the Constitutional Convention of 1787?

a) George Washington

b) Benjamin Franklin

c) James Madison

d) John Adams

Answer: a) George Washington was unanimously chosen to preside over the convention.

How many articles were contained in the original Constitution?

a) Five

b) Seven

c) Nine

d) Twelve

Answer: b) The Constitution originally contained seven articles.

Lieutenant George Farragut Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, provided this Constitution Week Spotlight. For more information about DAR, please visit the chapter’s website at lgfdar.com.