The significance of the ratification of the U.S. Constitution in 1788 lies in its establishment of a framework for the United States’ government and its principles of democracy. The Constitution introduced a system of checks and balances, ensuring no branch of government became too powerful. It enshrined fundamental rights and liberties, setting the stage for the Bill of Rights. The Constitution facilitated a unified national identity while accommodating state interests. Its ratification represented a commitment to creating a government based on popular sovereignty, significantly influencing future democratic constitutions and governance worldwide.