Final answer:
The Constitutional Convention began on May 25, 1787, marking a significant point in American history as delegates aimed to revise the Articles of Confederation but instead created the new U.S. Constitution. This meeting in Philadelphia led to the establishment of a strong federal government and the oldest written constitution still in use.
Step-by-step explanation:
The significant date when the Constitutional Convention started was May 25, 1787. This was the day delegates from all states except Rhode Island convened with the initial goal to revise the Articles of Confederation. However, it became a monumental event marking the creation of the new United States Constitution.
The delegates, including prominent figures like James Madison and Alexander Hamilton, chose to discard the Articles and draft a completely new document, which would become the oldest written constitution still in use.
The significance of this convention extends beyond just the drafting of the Constitution. It was a response to various issues, including economic crises, weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation, and social unrest exemplified by Shays' Rebellion.
The eventual document was instrumental in shaping the federal government and political system of the United States as we know it today.
The process of ratification that followed was equally important. The Federalists and Anti-Federalists arose from these debates, advocating for and against the new Constitution, respectively. These discussions would lead to the inclusion of the Bill of Rights, addressing concerns of those wary of a strong central government.