I know now that it is a rising sun." The first State to ratify the Constitution was Delaware, on December 6, 1787.

Pennsylvania followed on December 12th, and New Jersey on December 18th.

Ratifications continued without haste until New Hampshire, the ninth State, signed on June 21, 1788.

Four days later, Virginia, a very important State, ratified.

New York, which had been Anti-Federalist throughout, joined the majority on July 26th.