What state was misspelled in the U.S. Constitution?
Asked by: Dr. Kris Schiller MD | Last update: June 15, 2026Score: 4.4/5 (38 votes)
The state misspelled in the U.S. Constitution is Pennsylvania, written as "Pensylvania" with only one 'n' above the signers' names, though this was a common acceptable spelling at the time, also seen on the Liberty Bell. While many words had variations, this "error" in the founding document reflects 18th-century spelling conventions, not a true mistake by modern standards.
What state was spelled wrong in the Constitution?
This isn't the only place that Pennsylvania is spelled with one “N,” according to the American Civil Liberties Union, Pennsylvania is also spelled “wrong” in the U.S. Constitution. The Liberty Bell was created in 1752 and Bens Guide states that one year later the bell would crack, so they created a second one.
Which state is actually misspelled in the Constitution?
Misspelling of “Pennsylvania” “Pensylvania,” Hamilton wrote in The US Constitution. No one corrected it then, and no one has corrected it since. It's especially ironic given that the Constitutional Convention was held in Philadelphia.
What's the only state in the Constitution that is misspelled?
1. Of the spelling errors in the Constitution, PENSYLVANIA above the signers' names is probably the most glaring because today, Pennsylvania is spelled with two Ns; in 1781, the spelling with one N is also correct. 2. The Constitution does not set forth requirements for the right to vote.
Did Hamilton misspell Pennsylvania on the Constitution?
Misspelling of Pennsylvania
Alexander Hamilton assisted in writing the names of states next to the signatories' names. Next to Benjamin Franklin, Hamilton wrote “Pensylvania,” omitting the second n. The misspelled word was an ironic error, given that the Constitutional Convention was held in Philadelphia.
Most misspelled words in the US and each state
What is misspelled on the Liberty Bell?
According to the National Science Foundation (NSF), Pennsylvania is spelled “Pensylvania” on the Liberty Bell but technically isn't wrong as it was spelled in multiple ways at the time.
Which two states originally rejected the Constitution?
Two states, North Carolina and Rhode Island, refused to ratify the new plan of government. Those who opposed the adoption of the Constitution were known as the Antifederalists. Many feared centralized power.
Which state refused the Constitution?
But Rhode Island refused to send a delegation, and the convention instead set about drafting a new Constitution. Rhode Island was the only state that did not participate in its proceedings.
What is the most mispronounced state name?
According to the study, the most mispronounced U.S. state names are: Arkansas (AR-kuhn-saw) Nevada (nuh-VA-duh) Oregon (ORE-uh-gun)
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.
What are states forbidden from doing in the Constitution?
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 ...
What is the most misspelled word in Pennsylvania?
What we know: The most misspelled words in America were revealed in a recent study, along with the word each individual state misspells the most. Pennsylvania residents misspell "scissors" the most, while New Jersey finds "congratulations" to be a difficult word, and Delaware has the hardest time with "beautiful."
What word is misspelled in the US Constitution?
The U.S. Constitution has 4,400 words. It is the oldest and shortest written Constitution of any major government in the world. Of the spelling errors in the Constitution, "Pensylvania" above the signers' names is probably the most glaring.
What word was not used in the US Constitution?
No words indicating race or color, black or white, occur in the text of the Constitution, and neither do the words “slave” or “slavery.” Circumlocutions are used in the text to avoid the use of any form of the word “slave”; for example, “person held to service or labor,” and “such persons as any of the States now ...
What does chuse mean in the Constitution?
(Chuse is the way choose was spelled at that time.) Finck fails to note that the two Senators in each State were to be chosen by the State Legislatures.
What is the only letter not used in any USA state name?
The letter that does not appear in any U.S. state name is Q, making it the only letter of the English alphabet absent from all 50 state names, while letters like J, Z, and X are present in New Jersey, Arizona, and New Mexico/Texas, respectively, notes Quora, Quora, Reddit.
What is the rarest US name?
Unique Baby Names by State
Some of the rarer names identified include Wylder in Vermont, Naim in Delaware, Mazikeen in Wyoming, Babyboy in New Hampshire, and Jahziel in Rhode Island. These names were given to only five babies within their respective states over the past 23 years.
What is the hardest U.S. state to pronounce?
Arkansas (pronounced AR-kuhn-saw) is officially the state that people in America are searching to pronounce most. It also tops searches in the UK and Australia.
Which state never ratified the Constitution?
Rhode Island: May 29, 1790 (Rhode Island did not hold a Constitutional Convention.)
What state has the oldest Constitution still in effect?
The 1780 Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, drafted by John Adams, is the world's oldest functioning written constitution. It served as a model for the United States Constitution, which was written in 1787 and became effective in 1789.
Why was Rhode Island so against the Constitution?
There were several reasons for Rhode Island's resistance including its concern that the Constitution gave too much power to the central government at the expense of the states. The Constitution would also have made the state's practice of printing paper money illegal.
What two amendments were never ratified?
We also know that the First and Second Amendments of the original 12 amendments were not officially ratified.
What was the first state in America?
The first state in the United States was Delaware, which ratified the U.S. Constitution on December 7, 1787, becoming the first of the original thirteen colonies to join the Union and earning it the nickname "The First State". Pennsylvania followed shortly after, ratifying on December 12, 1787, making it the second state.
Who wrote the US Constitution?
James Madison, the principal author of the Constitution, knew that grave doubts would be cast on the Constitution if those states (the home states of several of its chief architects, including Madison himself) did not adopt it.