- from Constitution
On May 25, 1787, delegates from seven states met in Philadelphia with the goal of revising the Articles of Confederation. Soon, delegates from five more states arrived.
Of the original states, only Rhode Island wasn’t represented. Some of the most famous names in America were there. Benjamin Franklin, at 80, was the oldest. George Washington served as chair. John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were absent because they were in Europe serving as ambassadors for the new country. Others did not go because they did not want a stronger central government. Patrick Henry, John Hancock, and Samuel Adams fell into this category. Through the long, hot summer, the delegates debated many issues. In the end, they changed history.