202 years ago, the first constitution of Missouri was signed on July 19, 1820.
At the time that the constitution was signed, Missouri had not yet gained statehood. The territory first applied in 1817, but was unable to obtain statehood due to the debate in Congress over slavery. In 1820, Maine applied for statehood with the intention of outlawing slavery. Congress passed the Missouri Compromise in March 1820 that would allowed both Maine and Missouri to gain statehood.
On June 12, 1820, Missouri held its first constitutional convention in St. Louis at the Mansion House Hotel. The convention of 40 men met over 38 days. The preamble read, “We, the people of Missouri, inhabiting the limits hereinafter designated, by our representatives in convention assembled, at St. Louis, on Monday the 12th day of June, 1820, do mutually agree to form and establish a free and independent republic, by the name of ‘the State of Missouri;’ and for the government thereof, do ordain and establish this constitution.”
