- The word “democracy” never appears in the Constitution; it instead establishes a republic.
- James Madison’s detailed notes on the Constitutional Convention were kept secret until he died and were later purchased by the government for $30,000 in 1837.
- Benjamin Franklin was the oldest signer at 81, needing assistance, while Jonathan Dayton was the youngest at 26.
- Thomas Jefferson and John Adams did not sign the Constitution, as they were serving as ministers in France and Great Britain, respectively.
- Jacob Shallus, an assistant clerk for the Pennsylvania General Assembly, penned the document and was paid $30.
- After the Pearl Harbor bombing, the Constitution was moved to Fort Knox for safekeeping.
- Delegates initially gathered in Philadelphia in 1787 only to revise the Articles of Confederation, not to write a new constitution.
- Patrick Henry “smelled a rat” and refused to attend the convention, fearing a strong central government.
- After the Pearl Harbor bombing, the Constitution was moved to Fort Knox for safekeeping.
- At roughly 4,400 words in the original text, it is one of the shortest written constitutions of any major nation.
More Top 10 “Did You Know” Facts About the U.S. Constitution
Discover surprising facts about the U.S. Constitution, from its authors and signers to little-known historical details that shaped America’s founding document.
April 27, 2026
