Massachusetts Constitution is approved.

After more than two-thirds of the state’s town meeting accept the document, delegates at the constitutional convention approve the document at the Brattle Square Church. The first state constitution in the U.S., it is the oldest, written, functioning constitution in the world. John Adams is the principle author and wrote the opening lines: “All men are born free and equal, and have certain natural, essential, and unalienable rights…”, as well as the phrase “a government of laws and not of men.” The document includes a bill of rights, separation of powers among a bicameral legislature, and executive, and judicial branches, and the only popularly-elected governor in the original states. It is ratified the next day and becomes effective October 25, 1780.