226th anniversary of the ratification of the Constitution
Consource reminds us that June 21st is the 226th anniversary of New Hampshire's ratification of the proposed US Constitution. NH gave the document the ninth vote required for it to take effect and bind all States that had already ratified -- it still remained to win over Virginia and NY, without whom the new agreement would lack the future nation's two most prosperous (and in the case of Virginia, the physically largest) States.
The New Hampshire ratification came with the provision:
"And as it is the opinion of this Convention, that certain amendments and alterations in the said Constitution would remove the fears and quiet the apprehensions of many of the good people of this state, and more effectually guard against an undue administration of the federal government, -- The Convention do therefore recommend that the following alterations and provisions be introduced in the said Constitution: --
. . . . .
XI. Congress shall make no laws touching religion, or to infringe the rights of conscience.
XII. Congress shall never disarm any citizen, unless such as are or have been in actual rebellion."