What is the Article 7 Ratification of the Constitution?
Asked by: Prof. Morris Orn | Last update: July 8, 2026Score: 4.6/5 (70 votes)
The text of Article VII declares that the Constitution shall become the official law of the ratifying states when nine states ratified the document. When New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify on June 21, 1788, the Constitution became good law.
What is Article 7 ratifying the Constitution?
Constitution of the United States
The Ratification of the Conventions of nine States, shall be sufficient for the Establishment of this Constitution between the States so ratifying the Same.
Who can declare a president incompetent?
In the complex and unique scenario where a president is considered to be unable to do their job but does not want to step down, Section 4 authorizes the vice president and a majority of the president's cabinet or Congress to decide if the president is unable to perform their duties.
What is the ratification process in article 7?
Article VII of the proposed Constitution provided for its ratification by three quarters of a specially called state ratifying conventions. Once a minimum of nine popularly elected state conventions ratified, then the proposed Constitution would be “this Constitution” between the nine or more that signed.
When was Article 7 ratified?
On June 21, 1788, New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify the Constitution, thereby placing the Constitution into effect. Rhode Island was the last of the thirteen original states to ratify the Constitution under Article VII, doing so on May 29, 1790.
The US Constitution: Article 7 - Ratification & Final Notes
What does article 7 mean in simple terms?
The final article in the original Constitution, Article VII is also the shortest. It clearly states its purpose of defining the conditions necessary for operationalizing the new Constitution: ratification by nine states would be sufficient to put the document into effect among the states so ratifying.
What state forgot to ratify for 150 years?
An oversight of 150 years was remedied by Congress in 1953 when it formally voted to admit Ohio into the Union. A joint resolution (H J Res 121) to admit Ohio as a state, retroactive to March 1, 1803, was passed by the House May 19 and by the Senate Aug. 1, by voice vote each time.
What is the most misspelled word in the U.S. Constitution?
#DidYouKnow the most misspelled word in the U.S. Constitution is "Pennsylvania"? Explore our new infographic comparing the federal and state constitutions – an easy resource for classrooms and civic learning on #ConstitutionDay Download here ➡️ https://bit.ly/4gxePpI.
How many states are needed for ratification?
Nine states needed to vote for the Constitution for it to be accepted. Each state was given six months to meet and vote on the proposed Constitution. On December 7, 1787, Delaware was the first state to vote in favor of, or ratify, it.
What amendment took 203 years to ratify?
On this day, May 7, in 1992 (a whopping 203 years after it was passed by Congress) the 27th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified by the Michigan legislature, giving the measure the necessary approval from three-fourths of the 50 states.
Can Trump be removed from office?
Considered scenarios. Four scenarios for the removal of Trump from office had been posited by members of Congress, members of Trump's cabinet, political commentators, or legal scholars: resignation, the invocation of the 14th Amendment, invocation of the 25th Amendment, or impeachment and conviction.
Which President fathered a child at 70?
President John Tyler (1790–1862) of the United States fathered 15 children, the most of any American President. He had eight from his first wife and seven from his second wife. Tyler was 30 years older than his second wife and had his last child when he was 70.
Can Obama run for President again in 2028?
Incumbent president Trump, along with former presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama, are ineligible to be elected to a third term, as the Twenty-second Amendment prohibits any person from being elected president more than twice.
What does Article 7 of the Constitution say in simple terms?
The text of Article VII declares that the Constitution shall become the official law of the ratifying states when nine states ratified the document. When New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify on June 21, 1788, the Constitution became good law.
What does "I plead the 8th" mean?
The Eighth Amendment to the United States Constitution states: “Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.” This amendment prohibits the federal government from imposing unduly harsh penalties on criminal defendants, either as the price for obtaining ...
Is flag burning protected by the First Amendment?
The Supreme Court addressed flag burning in the 1989 case of Texas v. Johnson. A 5-4 majority held that states cannot enact blanket bans on flag desecration because, under some circumstances, flag burning is a form of symbolic speech protected by the First Amendment.
Who can invoke the 25th amendment against the president?
It allows the vice president, together with a "majority of either the principal officers of the executive departments or of such other body as Congress may by law provide", to issue a written declaration that the president is unable to discharge his duties.
What is only 52 words long in the Constitution?
The preamble is an introduction to the highest law of the land; it is not the law. It does not define government powers or individual rights. Establish Justice is the first of five objectives outlined in the 52-word paragraph that the Framers drafted in six weeks during the hot Philadelphia summer of 1787.
Can soldiers live in your house during war?
No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.
What word never appears in the Constitution?
The word “democracy” never appears in the Constitution or Bill of Rights. James Madison and Alexander Hamilton claimed in the Federalist Papers that democracies were a disaster. The First Amendment was not originally first. It started out as the third.
What is the only crime in the U.S. Constitution?
Although there have been relatively few treason cases in American history, the Supreme Court has clarified what it means to "levy war" and provide "aid or comfort" to enemies. Treason is the only crime defined in the Constitution of the United States.
What are the 5 things states Cannot do?
No State shall enter into any Treaty, Alliance, or Confederation; grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal; coin Money; emit Bills of Credit; make any Thing but gold and silver Coin a Tender in Payment of Debts; pass any Bill of Attainder, ex post facto Law, or Law impairing the Obligation of Contracts, or grant any Title ...
Why is Ohio technically not a state?
Calling the mistake a legislative oversight, Bender stated, “The State constitutional convention presented the Constitution of Ohio to Congress on February 19, 1803, and Congress chose to ignore the whole business.” Without congressional approval of the state constitution, Ohio technically remained part of the ...
What two bills of Rights were rejected?
We also know that the First and Second Amendments of the original 12 amendments were not officially ratified. Nine of fourteen states voted in favor of the original First Amendment: Delaware and Pennsylvania voted “no.” Two more votes were needed for passage if we follow the 11/14 requirement.