The formats are pdf imageovercharacter, so are searchable. The constitution full text the national constitution. The virginia ratification convention and the right to bear arms pdf. The united states constitution has served as the supreme law of the united states since taking effect in 1789. Engraving depicts federal hall in new york city, where george. Legislative power vested see explanation section 2. The following text is a transcription of the constitution as it was inscribed by jacob shallus on parchment the document on display in the rotunda at the national archives museum. Introduction the united states constitution is the supreme law of the united states of america. Congress approves 12 amendments and sends them to the states for ratification. On june 21, 1788, new hampshire became the ninth state to ratify the document, making it binding, and government under the u. Constitution happened in 1789 with the agreement of 9 out of.
At the same time, it is flexible and allows for changes in the government. Written in 1787, ratified in 1788, and in operation since 1789, the u. The bill of rights on september 25, 1789, congress transmitted to the state legislatures twelve proposed amendments to the constitution. The document was written at the 1787 philadelphia convention and was ratified through a series of state conventions held in 1787 and 1788. George washington elected first president of the usa march 4, the. Statutes at large 17891875 are also available at the library of congress american memory project. The constitution of the united states, which entered into force in 1789, is the oldest written national constitution in use. Carry copies of the entire constitution as a handy foldable booklet, or.
Constitution of the united states article 6 constitution of the united states article 7 constitution of the united states bill of rights the first ten amendments. Constitution is the worlds longest surviving written charter of government declaration of independence. States constitution is the worlds longest surviving written charter of government. Numbers three through twelve were adopted by the states to become the united states u.
Constitution of the united states of america history. The following are the published enactments of the u. The federal convention convened in the state house independence hall in philadelphia on may 14, 1787, to revise the articles of confederation. The constitution of the united states is the supreme law of the united states of america. The constitution of the united states preamble we the people of the united states, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do. It set up a onehouse congress, where each state had one vote. Constitution of the united states no person shall be a senator who shall not have attained to the age of thirty years, and been nine years a citizen of the united states, and who shall not, when elected, be an inhabitant of that state for which he shall be chosen. An overview of the constitution of the united states. Written in 1787, ratified in 1788, and in operation since 1789, the united. Resources guide explore the links in the text of the constitution below to discover a variety of relevant, classroom ready, lessons and activities from the bill of rights institute. Constitution was completed on september 17, 1789 and has served as a model for the constitutions of many other nations. Since its creation some two hundred years ago, over one hundred countries around the world have used it as a model for their own. Us constitution written at the constitutional convention in philadelphia, pa may 25 sept.
We the people of the united states, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this constitution for the united states of america. But judges are not the only public officials who interpret the constitution. The continental congress, after 16 months of debate and deliberations, forged the united states constitution of 1777, creating one nation empowered to govern but with one caveat. It originally appeared as a newspaper article in the spring of 1788. Us constitution ratified by 9 states june 22 and becomes the supreme law of the usa. He has affected to render the military independent of, and superior to, the civil power.
Constitution of the united states 1787 ourdocuments. Congress of the united states, which shall consist of a sen ate and. Why does the editor of this newspaper support ratifying the constitution. He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws. Constitution of the united states of america 1787 page ii 4this clause has been affected by clause 2 of amendment xviii. A guiding question for each lesson is included below each section. Document 2 this excerpt is from observations on the new federal constitution and on the federal and state conventions, by mercy otis warren. The constitution of the united states of america about the usa. No law, varying the compensation for the services of the. Under article v, the process to alter the constitution consists of proposing an amendment or amendments, and subsequent ratification. Since the constitution came into force in 1789, it has been amended 27 times, including one amendment that repealed a previous one. Currie when we think of constitutional interpretation, we think first of the courts. All states were required to ratify the constitution before it would officially take effect.
Legislators and executive officers do so every day. Once the united states was born with the declaration of independence, a system of government was needed. No state shall, without the consent of the congress, lay any imposts or duties on imports or exports, except what may be absolutely necessary for executing its inspection laws. The first congress and the structure of government, 17891791 david p.
President, was inaugurated on the balcony in april 1789. It is often called the supreme or highest law of the land. Constitution of the united states of america1787 page ii 4this clause has been affected by clause 2 of amendment xviii. Records of the continental and confederation congresses and the constitutional convention, 17741789. Constitution, bill of rights, declaration of independence, and other rights laid out by americas founders. History of the united states constitution wikipedia. The constitution awards individual citizens of the united states with undeniable rights and privileges, in addition to separating the powers of the governing bodies. A summary of the us constitution summary of the us constitution 1 the preamble the preamble lists the reasons that the original colonies separated from their mother country, and. Drafted in secret by delegates to the constitutional convention during the summer of 1787, this fourpage document, signed on september 17, 1787, established the government of the united states. Supreme court convenes for the first time after an. Constitution of the united states of america, the fundamental law of the u. The constitution of the united states of america is the oldest written national constitution in use and consists of twentyseven amendments.
The constitution is certainly the most influential legal document in existence. Harrisburg meeting to propose amendments to the constitution, 1788 september 3. He has kept among us, in times of peace, standing armies, without the consent of our legislatures. The constitution and bill of rights, 1789 the presidential libraries of the. This site offers free, printable versions of the founding documents of our republic, including the u.
United states of americas constitution of 1789 with. Miscellaneous papers of the continental congress, 17741789. The term civil officers of the united states is not defined in the constitution, although there may be a parallel with officers of the united states under the appointments clause, art. Independence day, also known as the fourth of july, celebrates our declaration of independence from the british empire in 1776 bill of rights. The constitution of the united states of america us department of. Constitution included a provision whereby the document may be amended, generally though not solely by a twothirds majority of each house of congress followed by ratification by legislatures in threefourths of the states. The constitution of the united states of america see explanation preamble we the people see explanation article i the legislative branch see explanation section 1. Foreword this little book introduces you to the greatest legal document ever written. Article five of the united states constitution wikipedia. Constitution is james madison and gouverneur morris.
Article five of the united states constitution describes the process whereby the constitution, the nations frame of government, may be altered. Our documents constitution of the united states 1787. Constitution was scheduled to begin on march 4, 1789. We the people of the united states, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this constitution for the united states of america. The oldest written national constitution in use, the constitution defines the principal organs of government and their jurisdictions and the basic rights of citizens. The constitution of the united states is the foundation of our federal government.