1. Constitutional Convention

2. On May 25, 1787, 55 delegates from 12 states met in Philadelphia. They originally planned to amend the Articles of Confederation. Very quickly the delegates decided to write a new constitution.

3. Constitution Convention Many important leaders attended the convention. The most important man there was George Washington. Washington was unanimously chosen to preside over the meetings.

4. Constitutional Convention In the first few days other important decisions were reached. Probably the idea to keep the meetings secret was one of the more important decisions.

5. Constitutional Convention James Madison, a delegate from Virginia, kept notes during the meetings. When Madison died in 1836, his notes were finally published. Madison was the last of the Founders to die.