Show constitutions adoption on september 17 1787 Tp THE HE declaration of independence preceded receded the constitution by more than eleven years the declaration la was adopted by the continental tin congress on july 4 1776 and a copy of it engrossed on parchment was signed by me members m b ers 0 of f that congress on or after august 2 1776 the original conati constitution tu ul tion in the form of a preamble and seven articles was adopted on september 17 1787 by a majority of the 55 delegates from twelve states rhode island sent no delegates and of the 65 chosen by the other twelve states ten did not attend even of the delegates in attendance 16 declined or failed to sign there were 39 signers in addition to the secretary the preamble is part of the constitution and was drawn up and adopted by the constitutional convention which had been appointed by the congress to revise the articles ol of confederation detroit news |