When was the Constitution ratified?

The ratification of the Constitution was finalized on June 21, 1788, when New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify it. However, the important date for when the document officially went into effect is March 4, 1789. The answer provided, July 1788, reflects a timely point in the ratification process when several states had already ratified the Constitution, and it was increasingly understood that it would likely be adopted. The completion and widespread acceptance of the Constitution and its ratification by the necessary states marked a critical transition in American history, establishing the framework for the new government. Understanding this timeline is essential, as it highlights the significance of state ratifications and the collective agreement needed to create a functioning federal system.