A new historical marker commemorating a major turning point in U.S. history will be unveiled on Sunday afternoon in Hillsborough.

“In many ways, it was one of the triggers for the Bill of Rights, which would have happened right at the intersection at Tryon and Churton Street,” said Hillsborough Mayor Tom Stevens.

The mayor spoke to WCHL recently about yet another of many markers that celebrate Historical Hillsborough. This particular one, to be unveiled in downtown on Sunday, marks the spot – or at least, a spot nearby – where the 1788 Constitutional Convention took place.

The successful application for the new marker came from Scotty Washington, the former assistant director of the Orange County Historical Museum.

He left that position over the summer to pursue other interests. Not surprisingly, though, studying the history of Hillsborough remains at the top of that list.

“I love the history of Hillsborough, especially” said Washington. “It’s the Disneyland of history. This is the epicenter of so much great American history.”

He added that “it’s like going to Colonial Williamsburg without the distance, the cost or the travel.’

Speaking to that point, Washington said that the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution came out of groundwork laid at that 1788 Hillsborough convention.

“When the Constitution was formulated in 1787, the country was operating under what was then called The Articles of Confederation,” said Washington, “which was fine during the Revolutionary War period.

“But, increasingly, after the United States had gained its freedom, it was clear that there needed to be a stronger federal government, especially when it came to negotiating treaties with other countries.”

The Constitution was then devised over a four-month period, after which it was sent out for ratification from the 13 states.

By the time it came to North Carolina, it had been ratified by 10 states, and New York became the 11th while North Carolina delegates were meeting.

“This becomes a turning point in American history,” said Washington. “When North Carolina delegates meet from July 21st, 1788 through August 4th, 1788, they go through the Constitution, and it becomes increasingly clear that there’s one point of contention, which is: Which laws do people follow when it comes to the federal government?”

States had their own sets of declared rights that varied from place-to-place. Washington said that the majority of delegates in Hillsborough that summer saw the need for a more cohesive declaration of rights that would unite the entire union.

“North Carolina does something extraordinary, that literally changes history,” said Washington. “They actually vote to postpone ratifying the constitution until there are provisions made for introducing a Bill of Rights to Congress and the ratifying states.”

Six months later, the new Congress took that up as an urgent matter, brought home by an impassioned speech by House leader James Madison, who would go on to draft those first 10 amendments.

North Carolina ratified the Constitution at the Fayetteville Convention on Nov. 21, 1789.

As the mayor pointed out, the Hillsborough convention was held at the intersection of Tryon and Churton streets. However, due to the already high volume of historical markers there: “we have moved it up one block, which is right beside Dickerson A.M.E. Church.”

That’s located on the corner of Queen and Churton.

The unveiling event takes place at 2 p.m. Sunday. The event is free and open to the public, and refreshments will be served in the fellowship hall afterward.

More information about the Hillsborough Constitutional Convention of 1788 is available here.