A constitutional convention held in Philadelphia framed a new Constitution for the United States of America. In which year did this Constitution formally come into effect as the supreme law of the country?

Introduction / Context:
This question relates to the foundational legal history of the United States of America. After winning independence from Britain, the new nation initially operated under the Articles of Confederation, which proved weak and ineffective. As a result, a constitutional convention in Philadelphia drafted a new Constitution to create a stronger federal system. The question asks when this Constitution actually came into effect and began operating as the supreme law of the country, a key date in political and constitutional history.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question mentions a constitutional convention in Philadelphia that framed a new Constitution.
• It asks for the year when this Constitution came into effect.
• Options include several important years from the period of American independence and early nationhood.
• The learner is expected to distinguish between the declaration of independence, early confederation, and the start of the new constitutional order.

Concept / Approach:
The United States Constitution was drafted in 1787, but it did not immediately come into full effect. It required ratification by a sufficient number of states and the setting up of new federal institutions. The Constitution is generally regarded as having come into effect in 1789, when the new government began operating, including the first session of Congress and the inauguration of George Washington as the first President under the new system. Therefore, the correct approach is to select 1789 rather than earlier or later dates that refer to other milestones.

Step-by-Step Solution:
1. Recall that the Declaration of Independence was issued in 1776, but that event did not create the present Constitution. 2. Remember that the Articles of Confederation governed the United States in the early years after independence and proved inadequate. 3. Note that the Constitution was drafted in 1787 but required ratification and the organisation of a new federal government. 4. Recognise that 1789 is widely given as the year in which the Constitution came into operation, with the first Congress and the first President under the new framework. 5. From the options, choose 1789 as the correct year when the new Constitution came into effect.
Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, consider the sequence of key dates. The Declaration of Independence is 1776, the Articles of Confederation were ratified in the early 1780s, and the Constitutional Convention met in 1787. However, the actual government created by the Constitution, including the House of Representatives, the Senate, and the Presidency, began functioning in 1789. History and civics textbooks usually state that the Constitution came into force or took effect in 1789, making that the standard answer used in objective general knowledge questions.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
1776 represents the Declaration of Independence and the break from British rule, not the start of the present constitutional framework.
1781 is associated with the final ratification of the Articles of Confederation, which were later replaced by the Constitution, so it is not the correct year for the new Constitution coming into effect.
1780 does not mark the official beginning of the federal government under the Constitution and is not commonly cited as a constitutional milestone in this context.
1791 is important as the year when the Bill of Rights, the first ten amendments, was ratified, but the basic Constitution had already taken effect in 1789.

Common Pitfalls:
Learners often confuse the date of the Declaration of Independence with the date when the Constitution began to operate, leading them to choose 1776. Others may focus on the drafting year 1787 and forget that the question asks when the Constitution came into effect, which is a slightly later stage. To avoid these mistakes, it is helpful to remember a short timeline: 1776 independence declared, early 1780s Articles of Confederation, 1787 Constitution drafted, 1789 Constitution takes effect. Fixing this sequence in memory allows for quick and accurate answers to similar questions.

Final Answer:
The correct answer is 1789.