Delaware ratified the Constitution December 7, 1787, making Pennsylvania the second State to ratify. That is the reason that today in all national processions these States are given the lead.
State after State approved the Constitution, and in several of them processions had taken place to celebrate, but in Pennsylvania there had been no celebration of this kind; but it was decided, however, that as soon as the ninth State acceded to it, measures should be taken for public rejoicing.
Following Delaware and Pennsylvania came New Jersey, which adopted the Constitution December 18; Georgia, January 2, 1788; Connecticut, January 9; Massachusetts, February 6; Maryland, April 28; South Carolina, May 23.
On June 21, when New Hampshire, the ninth State, ratified it, it was determined by the citizens of Philadelphia to celebrate the formation of the new Union on the evening of the Fourth of July. By that time Virginia had also ratified the Constitution by vote of June 26.
This pageant was as imposing as it was possible for the authorities and the people of Pennsylvania in their enthusiasm to make it, and not only in the metropolis but in every town in the State was the occasion one of patriotism and splendor.
New York ratified the Constitution July 26, 1788; North Carolina, November 21, 1789, and the last one of the thirteen original States to ratify was Rhode Island, which did not accomplish it until May 29, 1790.
The adoption of the Constitution rendered the institution of measures necessary for the election of members of Congress and electors of President and Vice President of the United States.
The Anti-Federalists immediately got busy and endeavored to effect a plan to revise the new Constitution, but were defeated in their purposes. The actions of this body in Pennsylvania in their convention in Harrisburg, September, 1788, were denounced by the people.
A new convention was called to meet in Lancaster, which selected candidates for Congress and electors for President.
The election of members of Congress took place in November, and in the State six of the nominees of the Federal ticket were elected, and two, David Muhlenberg, of Montgomery, and Daniel Hiester, of Berks, who, although Federalists, had, with two others of the same politics, been placed as a matter of policy with the opposition ticket.