What significant event occurred during the Philadelphia Convention in May 1787?

During the Philadelphia Convention in May 1787, the significant event was the creation of the United States Constitution. Delegates from twelve of the thirteen states convened to address the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, which had proven inadequate in providing a workable framework for governance. The discussions culminated in the drafting of a new constitution that established a stronger federal government with a system of checks and balances, a separation of powers, and provisions for a Bill of Rights, which would later be added in 1791.

The creation of the Constitution marked a foundational moment in American history, as it replaced the Articles of Confederation and laid the groundwork for the modern political system of the United States. The ratification of the Articles of Confederation, drafting of the Bill of Rights, and signing of the Treaty of Paris, while significant events in their own right, did not occur during this specific convention and are unrelated to the pivotal moment of drafting the Constitution.