July 4, 1776: The Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Second Continental Congress.
September 3, 1783: The American Revolutionary War officially ends with the signing of the Treaty of Paris.
May 1787: Representatives from twelve* of the thirteen original states met in Philadelphia to revise the Articles of Confederation.
September 17, 1787: The final draft of the new Constitution was read to the delegates and signed by delegates signed the document, which was then sent to the states for ratification.
June 21, 1788: The Constitution went into effect after New Hampshire ratified the document.
* Rhode Island did not send delegates to the convention.
