I’ve been writing about the Constitutional Convention for weeks, and we’re finally ready for the states to vote. It’s a tense time in our history, and even though I know (as you do, too!) the final vote, I find myself trembling at the significance of this moment in our nation’s founding and continuing existence.

Without a constitutional foundation, who are we as the United States? Imagine if all the work had been done by the Founders but then the states had chosen to negate the compromises reached and returned to the Articles of Confederation or, worse, had broken into a system of fully independent states with no unifying ties.

The Constitution of the United States affirms what we as citizens of this nation value — LIBERTY and a government designed to protect the individual rights of the citizens while also performing those necessary tasks for the people that they cannot perform as individual citizens. I often think of Justice Learned Hand’s remark that “Liberty lies in the hearts of men and women; when it dies there, no constitution, no law, no court can save it; no constitution, no law, no court can even do much to help it.” Our Constitution is only as strong, only as valid, only as binding as our will to “secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity.”

This constitutionalist is thrilled to recount the story of the ratification of our imperfect document while reminding each of us that it is still the “most perfectly” written constitution in the history of the world — along with being the shortest in length and the longest in continuous usage. Am I a proud constitutionalist? Absolutely.

Because the outcome was uncertain and the fears were heightened by the process of ratification, I decided to share with you the actual timeline created by the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia where I spent yesterday. Confession time, friends: Whenever I’m in Philadelphia, I have to visit Independence Hall (looking for Jimmy Madison!), the National Constitution Center, and Christ Church. Philadelphia is Constitution Heaven…

So, let’s imagine that you are Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, or John Jay and you are awaiting the final tally, knowing that ratification by nine states ensures that the Constitution will become the “supreme law of the land.” Consider how you would have felt when months had passed and you were still looking for state No. 9.

Let’s do the countdown!

It’s important to remember that some states ratified the Constitution quickly. Some states had to call multiple debate sessions before securing a positive vote.

September 17, 1787: The Constitutional Convention adjourns.

September 28, 1787: The Congress agrees to send the Constitution to the states for debate and ratification.

December 7, 1787: Delaware ratifies. Vote: 30 for; 0 against. Now you understand that “First State” license plate. Virginia’s still angry…

December 12, 1787: Pennsylvania ratifies. Vote: 46 for; 23 against. Pennsylvania’s state house was probably the best informed and it still took almost three months.

December 18, 1787: New Jersey ratifies. Vote: 38 for; 0 against. Way to go, Jersey!

January 2, 1788: Georgia ratifies. Vote: 26 for; 0 against. Unity in the South!

January 9, 1788: Connecticut ratifies. Vote: 128 for; 40 against. It’s a YES vote. We’ll take it.

February 6, 1788: Massachusetts ratifies. Vote: 187 for; 168 against. Passions were running high in the Bay State!

March 24, 1788: Rhode Island popular referendum rejects. Vote: 237 for; 2,708 against. Popular vote fails. Rhode Island was fearing the shifting of power that will lessen the tiny island’s influence.

April 28, 1788: Maryland ratifies. Vote: 63 for; 11 against. After seven months of debate, Maryland enters the YES column.

May 23, 1788: South Carolina ratifies. Vote: 149 for; 73 against. Ding! Ding! Ding! We’re almost there!

June 21, 1788: New Hampshire ratifies. Vote: 57 for; 47 against. Minimum requirement for ratification met.

But, we need the other states to have true union, especially Virginia and New York!

June 25, 1788: Virginia ratifies. Vote: 89 for; 79 against. We were sweating the vote! Patrick Henry’s voice threatened to derail unification, but James Madison’s promise of a Bill of Rights swayed the delegates.

July 26, 1788: New York ratifies. Vote: 30 for; 27 against. Hamilton and Jay are thrilled.

August 2, 1788: North Carolina convention adjourns without ratifying by a vote of 185 in favor of adjournment, 84 opposed. Dear heavens, North Carolina! Take a stand!

November 21, 1789: Finally, North Carolina ratifies. Vote: 194 for; 77 against. YES!

May 29, 1790: Rhode Island ratifies. Vote: 34 for; 32 against. With reservations, Rhode Island decides to make it unanimous.

Let the bells ring! Let the angels sing! We have a republic!

Now, let’s get to work governing.