History Today: How the US constitution was ratified and came to life

First Post

21-06-2025

On June 21, 1788, the US constitution was ratified and became the law after New Hampshire became the ninth of the 13 states to approve it. Also on this same day in 1990, a powerful earthquake ripped through Iran, killing more than 50,000 people read more
The U.S. Constitution was ratified in 1788, with the process concluding on June 21, 1788, when New Hampshire became the ninth state to approve it. Representational image/Pixabay
Today, many in America claim that Donald Trump is eroding the values enshrined in America's constitution. But did you know that the constitution in the United States came into law on June 21, 1788?
Also, on this day in 1990, one of the world's most devastating earthquakes struck Iran, killing an estimated 50,000 people and injuring another 100,000 people.
If you are a history fan, Firstpost Explainers' ongoing series, History Today , will be your one-stop destination to explore key events.
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US Constitution becomes law
Until June 21, 1788 when the constitution was ratified, America was governed by the Articles of Confederation. However, this changed when New Hampshire became the ninth of 13 states to ratify it. The journey to ratification was a long and arduous process.
Rewind to six months back and in December, five states — Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut — ratified it in quick succession. However, other states, especially Massachusetts, opposed the document, as it failed to reserve undelegated powers to the states and lacked constitutional protection of basic political rights, such as freedom of speech, religion, and the press.
John Trumbull's painting, Declaration of Independence, depicting the five-man drafting committee of the Declaration of Independence presenting their work to the Congress. File image/Wikimedia Commons
It was in February 1788 that a compromise was struck and Massachusetts and other states agreed to ratify the document based on the promise that amendments would be immediately proposed.
Finally, on June 21, 1788, New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify the document, and it was subsequently agreed that government under the US Constitution would begin on March 4, 1789. In June, Virginia ratified the Constitution, followed by New York in July.
Today, the US Constitution is recognised as the oldest written constitution in the world. It consists of seven articles and has been amended 27 times until now.
Notably, the US constitution's first three words are 'We The People', which affirms that the government of the United States exists to serve its citizens.
Earthquake devastates Iran
One of the world's deadliest earthquakes took place on June 21, 1990 causing unprecedented destruction in Iran. On this day, a powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck near the Caspian Sea, killing an estimated 50,000 and injuring another 100,000 people.
The powerful temblor hit Iran post midnight, shaking people up from their slumber and shattering the night tranquillity. Following the quake, the cities of Rudbar and Manjil lay in absolute ruin with the National Geophysical Data Center estimating that the devastation amounted to a whopping $8 billion.
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A man stands among the the ruins of a building destroyed by the June 21 massive earthquake that killed over 50,000 people in northwest Iran. File image/AFP
What made matters worse was that a 6.5-magnitude aftershock the following morning caused a burst dam in Rasht, wiping out a large stretch of farmland. Landslides made many roads impassable and many of the people who initially survived under the rubble could not be rescued before their air supply ran out. An estimated 400,000 people were left homeless by the earthquake.
Following the devastation, worldwide relief efforts began with Iran grudgingly accepting assistance from the United States, though it refused help from Israel and South Africa.
Greenland assumes self-rule
June 21, 2009 also marks the day when Greenland gained self-rule. This came after the people of Greenland held a referendum in November 2008 and subsequently approved the Self-Government Act.
Through this, Greenland assumed responsibility for self-government of its judicial affairs, policing matters, and natural resources. Moreover, Greenlanders were recognised as a separate people under international law.
However, foreign policy, defence policy, and security policy remains in the hands of Denmark.
This Day, That Year
>> Battle of Okinawa concludes with the defeat of Japanese forces on June 21, 1945.
>> On this day, in 1893, the first Ferris wheel, invented by George Washington Gale Ferris, Jr, made its debut, at the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago.