When did the U.S. government begin operating under the U.S. Constitution?

The U.S. government officially began operating under the U.S. Constitution on March 4th, 1789. This date marks the inauguration of George Washington as the first President of the United States, signaling the transition from the Articles of Confederation, which had been the governing document since the Revolutionary War, to the newly ratified Constitution.

The Constitution was drafted in Philadelphia during the Constitutional Convention in 1787, and it was subsequently ratified by the states. However, it did not take effect until March 4, 1789, which was when the new government was formally established and began functioning under the framework provided by the Constitution. This pivotal moment is crucial as it set the stage for the federal government as we know it today, outlining the structure, powers, and limitations of government institutions.

The other dates mentioned are significant in their own right but do not represent the beginning of government under the Constitution. July 4th, 1776, marks the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, while January 1st, 1800, and September 17th, 1787, are important but not related to the actual commencement of government under the Constitution.