The Treaty of Paris ratified by Congress and the end of Revolutionary War

• Congressional committee led by Thomas Jefferson, proposing western territories be turned to states, equalizing with the original 13.
• Jefferson also proposes a ban on slavery everywhere in the U.S. after 1800, but is narrowly defeated.

11th  Jan. 1785

• Virginia legislature passes Jefferson's Ordinance of Religious Freedom
•  It guarantees that no man could be forced to attend or support any church or be discriminated against because of religious preference.

    Americans suffer from post-war economic depression, including shortage of currency, high taxes, nagging creditors, farm foreclosures and also bankruptcies.

Congress authorizes Henry Knox to raise armies at Springfield, Massachusetts..

1. Amid calls for a stronger central government

2. Congress endorses a resolution calling for a constitutional convention held in Philadelphia, beginning in May.

1.  Congress enacts the Northwest Ordinance, establishing formal procedures for transforming territories into states.
2.  The Ordinance includes a Bill of Rights that guarantees freedom of religion, the right to trial by jury, public education and a ban on slavery in the Northwest.

1.  Roger Sherman proposes a compromise which allows for representation in the House of Representatives based on each state's population and equal representation for all of the states in the Senate.
2. The numerous black slaves in the South are to counted at only three fifths of their total number

1. 39 delegates vote to approve and sign the final draft of the new Constitution.
2. The Legislative Branch will consist of two houses. The upper house (Senate) to be composed of nominees selected by state assemblies for six year terms; the lower house
3.  The Executive Branch is to be headed by a chief executive (President) elected every four years by presidential electors from the states.

     The Federalists begin publishing essays in favor of ratification. Written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison and John Jay. The total number of articles eventually reach 85 and be compiled and published as the Federalist Papers.  Federalist Papers at Library of Congress.

2nd, Jun.

1788

1. Formal announcement is made by the president of Congress

2. The Constitution of the United States is now in effect, ratified by the required nine states.

1.  On the balcony of New York's Federal Hall, George Washington, at age 57, is sworn in as the first President of the United States.
2. The inaugural address delivery.

1.  Federal Judiciary Act passed by Congress establishes a six-man Supreme Court, attorney general, 13 federal district courts and 3 circuit courts.
2. All federal cases would originate in the district court and, if appealed, would go to the circuit court and from there to the Supreme Court.

1.  Congress submits 12 proposed constitutional amendments to the states for ratification.
2. The first ten will be ratified and added to the Constitution in 1791 as the Bill of Rights.

The Federalists begin publishing essays in favor of ratification. Written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison and John Jay. Total number of articles eventually reach 85 and be compiled and published as the Federalist Papers.  Federalist Papers at Library of Congress.

 Benjamin Franklin dies in Philadelphia at age 84, with his funeral four days later draws over 20,000 mourners.