September 17, 2004 on this day:
In 1787, The Philadelphia Convention adopted the United States
Constitution. In the spring of 1787 fifty-five delegates from
twelve states met in Philadelphia to draft a new constitution for
the Republic. By profession they were lawyers, merchants and
planters. The Articles of Confederation, the basis for U.S.
government since the Revolution, had created a federal government
too weak to carry out the functions of the new nation. The new
constitution created a much stronger federal government, and many
founding fathers opposed it. After the convention the Constitution
was presented to the people, and was finally ratified in May, 1790,
after the Bill of Rights had been added.
Also on this day:
In 1796 U.S. president George Washington delivered his "Farewell
Address" to the American people.
In 1920 the American Professional Football Association was formed
in Akron, Ohio. This later became the National Football League.